Queue up for a digital set top box coupon for CT-100, etc...

[Pete Deksnis]

From 12-31-2007

"The Los Angeles Times reports that the U.S. Commerce Department will accept coupon applications starting tomorrow via a toll-free hotline (888-DTV-2009) and web site (dtv2009.gov).

"We are open for business Jan. 1," Bart Forbes, a spokesman for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Commerce Department agency running the program, tells the Times."

From 1-1-2008

www.dtv2009.gov seems to get you there; however, as of 0715 hrs, the site doesn't seem to accept the application! Update: by 0800 it did:

"Thank you for applying for a Coupon online.

IMPORTANT:
TV converter boxes are not expected to be available in retail stores until late February or early March. You will receive your Coupon(s) then. The Coupon will expire within 90 days from the date it is issued.

Please print this page for your records; your application is reprinted below.

If you have any questions, you may call the Toll-Free Consumer Support Hotline
at 1-888-DTV-2009 (1-888-388-2009), 1-877-530-2634 (TTY), or write to us at:


TV Converter Box Coupon Program
PO Box 2000
Portland, OR 97208-2000

Reference Number: 15405

Name: Pete Deksnis
...."

[stromberg6]

Pete: Thanks for the heads up. I will put in my request ASAP. The CT-100 (No. 827), and other display sets in the museum will certainly need one eventually once we get the antenna installed on the tower that is going in in the spring. I am working on a switching and distribution arrangement that will make it easier for the non-technical volunteers to operate the TV display, and the converter(s) will fit right in.
Nothing much yet about the TV's is posted on the website, but take a look. It has taken a LONG time to get to this stage in the history of our facility. Hope you can visit soon.
www.nationalcommunicationsmuseum.org.
Kevin

[WA3WLJ]

Off topic but,

Pete will you be watching the parade one of the last times in analog off-the-

air today on your CT-100?

[Pete Deksnis]

Originally Posted by WA3WLJ

Off topic but,

Pete will you be watching the parade one of the last times in analog off-the-

air today on your CT-100?

You bet! I gotta remember to break out of the Honeymooner's Blowout on channel 11 though.

[RetroHacker]

The problem I see though is this: There aren't any converters. Or at least not yet. I've never seen one, although I've only looked at a couple of stores. Add to that the fact that these coupons expire 90 days after they're issued... I'm going to wait until these converters exist.

Anyone know of a source?

-Ian

[Pete Deksnis]

Originally Posted by RetroHacker

...these coupons expire 90 days after they're issued... .
Ian

The 90 days doesn't begin until the converters become available in two months from now.

[Pete Deksnis]

Originally Posted by stromberg6

Nothing much yet about the TV's is posted on the website, but take a look. It has taken a LONG time to get to this stage in the history of our facility. Hope you can visit soon.
www.nationalcommunicationsmuseum.org.
Kevin

I did get to visit the museum today via a quick round trip on Amtrak; although I had little time between trains and therefore little time there, your CT-100 was very impressive in its performance. Your gray scale tracking was envious. Sorry to have missed you.

Pete

[Chad Hauris]

I have applied for the coupons, # 1219729. (Sat. Jan. 5th)
The antenna blew down at my house and I have not re-installed it since I got DirectTV 4 years ago or so...am looking forward to getting the better quality of digital plus the sub-channels especially on public television. (I was never able to get all that great over-the-air analog reception but I'm thinking there is enough signal strength for digital).

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi Pete,

Thanks! We are in line for 2. Our CTC-5 and 1962 Zenith thank you for more good years.

[bozey45]

I've never heard that those coupons are required to get a converter; if you want to pay full price you can get one as they become available at any time; now if you want that $40 discount then thats where you need the coupon. I understand they will have only so many coupons available--they budgeted a certain amount for all this. If I'm wrong someone can correct. if people dilly-dally around and miss the coupon offer then they'll have to pay full price and I'm sure there will be thousands who don't have a clue and will make a big stink about it come FEB. 2009----can't wait for all the whiners to make themselves heard.

[barrynsue]

Thanks Pete,

Put in my request for two this morning.

Happy New Year,

Barry

[Keefla]

if there ever was an argument that this whole digital switch was ill fated and badly planned its that the deadline is a year away and converters dont even EXIST YET! they wont be untill the deadline is less than 11 months away! thats rediculous. what about supply problems or technical issues!?

[Fred Sanford]

Another winner is that there's a finite number of "coupons", so if you don't order until there's converters on the market that you can research and read reviews of, you may not be able to get the coupon to buy it. Smart.

je

[RCAkid]

I guess the site must be overloaded as of 1:12pm CST

Everytime I try to submit the application, it just tells me there is an error and redirects me to the home page.

Typical.

Oh well, try, try again.

[old_tv_nut]

The contractor for the coupon program (a division of IBM) is doing a test run in two selected cities to make sure coupons can be redeemed correctly through whatever channel the buyer might use. Also, the plan is to time the availablility of coupons in a given area with availability of set-tops in that area.