Cannot receive local Denver channels

[letucke]

My homebase is Littleton, CO. While visiting 69021 (Benkelman, NE) I cannot receive local Denver channels on my 3LNB SWM DirecTV antenna. I get everything else (SD and HD). The receiver I'm using works fine at home. Is it a antenna pointing problem or... any ideas?

[TexasPSDX]

Directv only allows you to receive local channels within 100 miles of your home zip. Over that, you get everything you get at home except local. I have been through this with Directv.

[ernieh]

Your probably outside of the Denver locals spot beam.

[cutrell01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by letucke My homebase is Littleton, CO. While visiting 69021 (Benkelman, NE) I cannot receive local Denver channels on my 3LNB SWM DirecTV antenna. I get everything else (SD and HD). The receiver I'm using works fine at home. Is it a antenna pointing problem or... any ideas?

You have to pay them extra to get local TV channel in a different zip code or outside of their area of coverage.

[bonzocfi]

Call Direct TV and tell them that you would like to change your service address. When you get back to Colorado, give em another call.

[RickO]

Welcome to the forum!

I believe that all satellite services "spot beam" their network (abc, cbs, nbc, pbs, fox) coverage into local markets so you won't get it when you travel very far from home. It's impossible to determine exactly how far you can go before you lose them. For example, with Sacramento stations, I can still pick them up as far north as Vancouver, Wa and as far south as Bakersfield.

You have two options for receiving network coverage when traveling, but continuing to receive your own home stations is not one of them.

1) As mentioned, you can try to call them and change your "service address" to the zip code you travel to. Several folks have reported good results doing that but there is a concern that they might tire of the constant changes and refuse at some point... I don't know.

2) Apply for "DNS".... distant network subscriber. There is an additional charge of $15/20 per month for this service and you will receive the network feeds from either LA or NYC. I don't believe they allow new subscribers to still have both. We've had the service for a few years and they grandfathered us so we get HD network feeds from both places. This is an FCC requirement as I understand it.

Good luck.

Rick

[FlyingDiver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutrell01 You have to pay them extra to get local TV channel in a different zip code or outside of their area of coverage.

To be accurate, you have to pay them extra to get the normal broadcast NETWORKS in a different area. You won't get the Denver locals anywhere away from Denver no matter what you pay them. The beam only goes to the Denver area.

joe

[wagonmaster2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonzocfi Call Direct TV and tell them that you would like to change your service address. When you get back to Colorado, give em another call.

I've done this on occasion but not very often. I always wonder how many times a year they'd allow you to change service addresses. Any one ever been refused for changing too many times? I'd hate to get locked into a service area I was leaving and maybe not returning till next year or so.

Wagonmaster2

[Alan_Hepburn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2 I've done this on occasion but not very often. I always wonder how many times a year they'd allow you to change service addresses. Any one ever been refused for changing too many times? I'd hate to get locked into a service area I was leaving and maybe not returning till next year or so. Wagonmaster2

The TV commercials they're currently running about moving state (in small print) that you can change your service address once a year...

[paz]

DNS mentioned by RickO is the way to go if you want to receive network programming (ABC, CBS, NBS, Fox, etc.) when you're away from home. DNS will give you feeds from either LA or New York depending on the zip code of where the system is registered. As has been mentioned, most local channels are spot beamed and are not available beyond a 100-200 mile radius.

The problem with getting DNS is you must have a separate account for your RV. FCC requirements will not allow you to have DNS on your home account unless you live in an area that is not serviced by local TV stations. Since the OP mentioned he gets Denver stations at home, he will not be eligible for DNS unless he fills out the DNS form (available in the sticky at the top of this forum) and opens a separate account for his RV.

The best way to get local channels without DNS is to use your batwing antenna.

[bonzocfi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn The TV commercials they're currently running about moving state (in small print) that you can change your service address once a year...

I know that it is at least twice because I do it every year.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paz The problem with getting DNS is you must have a separate account for your RV. FCC requirements will not allow you to have DNS on your home account unless you live in an area that is not serviced by local TV stations. Since the OP mentioned he gets Denver stations at home, he will not be eligible for DNS unless he fills out the DNS form (available in the sticky at the top of this forum) and opens a separate account for his RV. The best way to get local channels without DNS is to use your batwing antenna.

If it's true that DNS requires a separate RV account from DirecTv, that's a new rule and they must have grandfathered me on that one too. I have only one account but I do have DNS with east and west feeds.

We quit full timing this year and when we settled into the stick house for six months I called them to suspend our DNS service so I wouldn't have to pay the $20/mo while at home. They told me I would have to go through the entire application process to turn it back on again.... but they agreed to leave it turned on and just credit me the $20/mo for six months.
I'm sure the FCC wouldn't be crazy about that idea but that's what they did.

Rick

[Larry & Rita]

The comment about the 100 mile restriction is odd.
I traveled from Washington to Kansas City and I never lost the local channels during the whole trip. As a matter of fact I have never lost the locals any where I go-Never gave it a thought until now.

Larry

[letucke]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all of your helpful responses. I'm not full time yet so will have to live with the situation - for now.
Larry