Direct TV, single LNB, Local Channels?

[GoneFishin]

We have Direct TV with no contract at this time. We have changed our set up for the MH and it's different than what we have at home and now have a couple questions. I realize someone may have already asked, so appreciate the replies and apologize for the repetitive question.

We now have a single LNB DTV dish with a ground tripod (Accu-Dish mount). We have the H10 receiver and subscribe to local channels in the Phoenix area. Now that we are travelling in the MH in California, can we receive the local channels on this single LNB? Or should we have brought the 3 LNB from home? We had it set up fairly quickly, just no local channels. THANKS!

[GoneFishin]

We have Direct TV with no contract at this time. We have changed our set up for the MH and it's different than what we have at home and now have a couple questions. I realize someone may have already asked, so appreciate the replies and apologize for the repetitive question.

We now have a single LNB DTV dish with a ground tripod (Accu-Dish mount). We have the H10 receiver and subscribe to local channels in the Phoenix area. Now that we are travelling in the MH in California, can we receive the local channels on this single LNB? Or should we have brought the 3 LNB from home? We had it set up fairly quickly, just no local channels. THANKS!

[Frankie]

Your local channels are limited to your local area. I lose mine around 200 miles from my home.You can subscribe to a distant service network and get a generice channel line up so you will have your 4,5 and 7 channels.

[beaverjim]

i agree with fankie. other than i can't get that far! maybe 100 mi. jim

[GoneFishin]

Thanks for the quick replies. I know this is a common question and have read about it often, but until you are out there trying to line up those satellites, you just don't have the hands-on practice. The local channels are coming in fine with the batwing.

And I'm second guessing myself. So I guess I shouldn't feel bad about leaving the 3 LNB at home. Under the current agreement, I couldn't get local channels with it. I believe we are paying for local channels, so I'll call to cancel that option. Thanks!

[Bill Adams]

It is likely that your local programming came off the 110 and/or 119 satellite and your standard programming comes off the 101 satellite. Your single LNB can only pick up one satellite so even in your home area you would have to re-point the dish to the various satellites to get the programming from the different satellites. Your 3-head dish would work better (but is more difficult to point) when you are near home but as has been noted you won't be able to get ANY Network programming once you leave your home area unless you sign up for the Distant Network Service. This will give you ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox (PBS and CW are also available) from NY and LA anywhere you travel in the US and they all come from the 101 satellite where the rest of your programming is located. That means that you can get nearly all of the DTV standard definition programming with your current dish. If you want to be able to receive HD programming in your RV (assuming your TV's are ready for HD) then there are more hoops you will need to just through. Let us know if you need the expensive solutions to HDTV in an RV.

[GoneFishin]

Hi Bill, Thanks for the reply. I follow a lot of your postings and appreciate your advice.

We do not have HD in the motorhome, and dropped the HD service since we have left the house.

Can you tell me more about the DNS option? How much and would it require a new contract with DirecTV? And would it work with the new single LNB we have with us now?

[Bill Adams]

Here is the link to the waiver you must file out and send to DTV along with a copy of your RV's registration to qualify for the DNS Networks.
http://www.directv.com/learn/pdf/DNS_Vehicles_Aff.pdf

You would no longer pay for the local programming and the DNS cost $9 (going up to $12 any day now for all of us). It does not require a new contract but you cannot have one receiver working with locals and another working with DNS so it's all or nothing. Nearly all of your standard programming as well as the DNS network is available with a single LNB pointed to the 101 satellite.

[GoneFishin]

Thank you again. We will probably call tomorrow and take care of it.

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Thank you again. We will probably call tomorrow and take care of it. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Call? I didn't say anything about calling! You have to download, fill out and send in the waiver form. You should have your DNS networks in about 10 days.

[John Hilley]

DTV won't let you have a residence account and have DNS in the RV. You have to get a second account. I filed my waiver and got a call to set up the second account, which I declined, and just kept mirroring my home service on a third receiver that is always in the motorhome.

[GoneFishin]

I called DirecTV, spoke with a CSR and told him that we needed to spend time in the MH in the LA area for the next few months, had a round single LNB, and wanted to get the local channels, but they did not need to be Phoenix area local channels. He said all we had to do is call and let them know the zip code we would be in each time we move and we would get the local feed for that area. I said we would possibly then be moving to the NW area (MT) for a few months. He said sometimes the local area channels are not available in all areas (MT?). He asked for a zip code of where we were and I gave him my mother's zip in the LA area.

The very nice CSR transferred me to Tech Support, again, a very nice guy and knowledgeable it seemed. We told him our travel needs. (He lives in MT and we briefly chatted about fishing MT.) He said we could get the west coast or east coast local channels, depending on where are. We gave him the zip code and he asked if we could provide a physical adddress, but if not because of traveling, OK. I gave him my mother's address and confirmed that our billing would not be changed. The Tech then walked us through the process of changing our zip code in the Settings Menu and confirmed that we are on Sat 101. We immediately had LA local programming and thanked him.

For our schedule and habits, the LA channels work best. No one ever mentioned a DNS form, a second account, or different charges. I will review the next bill to make sure no changes were made to our bill. I also think sometimes you get really lucky when calling DTV, depending on who you talk with.

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">DTV won't let you have a residence account and have DNS in the RV. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
This is very true, but you do not necessarily have to have 2 accounts. You can setup 2 receivers, one with locals and one with DNS but the 2 receivers cannot be active at the same time. If you don't need the service at home while you are traveling this works just fine. If you need service at 2 different places at the same time I guess you should be paying for 2 accounts anyway.

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I also think sometimes you get really lucky when calling DTV, depending on who you talk with. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
That is an understatement!!
There are folks who are considered "unserved households" as they are located in a part of the US where the over-the-air TV signal for the Network programming is not available. You happened to have an address available that falls into this category and found someone who knew about this loophole.
I would still rather have both Coasts available for my Network programming as our travels include the entire US. Additionally, if I am in Las Vegas, I can choose to watch the New Year's eve celebration at 9PM from NY and still make it to bed at a normal time!