Unable to activate DISH Network VIP211k Box

[Bremer Speck]

I am getting ready to have my KVR antenna updated in a couple of days to work with Dish because I much prefer HD programming and the fact, that Dish offers a pay as you go monthly service.
To get ready for this, I purchased the VIP211k box on Amazon.
This morning, I called 1-800-472-1039 ( DishForMyRV.com: Mobile Satellite Dish Systems, Guides, Antennas, Receivers, Packages, iPhone Finder App & More ) to get some information about activation before I activate.
The system prompted me to enter the receiver number and I did. The next thing I heard was "we are unable to activate your receiver. Please contact the firm you bought it from".
Has anyone had this experience?
Does anyone know why they would not activate my receiver?
Fortunately, II can still return it to Amazon and I will because it is not worth making more phone calls. I may as well simply replace this receiveer and get it form dishformyrv.com
Anyway, all comments will be appreciated.
Cheers,
Ronald

[Wayne M]

Trying to talk to DISH can be a challenge. I don't play around with their prompts, I just start hitting the Pound/Star key and '0' key until I get some one to speak to. They usually get me to the correct department. You already have the receiver in-hand, why not wait on the phone a little while and talk to someone. Sending it back, ordering another one, etc. is going to take a lot longer than a phone call.

Curiosity - does the 211 have a card slot? Does it required the DISH card be inserted before registration can be completed? I know my two receivers from DISH (not 211's) have program cards in the slot.

[RJay]

I have a KVH antenna system and as I understand it the antenna comes pre programmed for DirecTV and has to be reprogrammed to receive Dish. When I called KVH to see about reprogramming they told me I had to go through one of their dealers. When I called the dealer I was told it would cost $600 dollars to upgrade and reprogram the software. I told him no thanks. I'm interested to see how your problem is resolved.

[Harry B]

Installed a 211K obtained from Amazon last week. Had the same issue and just called back and got a live person on the phone. Problem resolved in 2 minutes. Works great.

Last night Dish lost most of their HD TV because their 129 satellite went down, which may have been the reason they couldn't handle the call yesterday. They were in overload mode trying to get that satellitte back up

[edj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry B Last night Dish lost most of their HD TV because their 129 satellite went down, which may have been the reason they couldn't handle the call yesterday. They were in overload mode trying to get that satellitte back up

The 129 satellite is on the 'Western Arc' (110, 119, 129). The 'Eastern Arc' (61.5, 72.7, 77) was unaffected.

[Harry B]

Last year dish send a technician (not at my request) and changed my house dish from 61.5 to 129. I live in Central FL and use the 110, 119 & 129 satellites now. It has confused me as well as to which areas are using the eastern satellites now. As I understand it, the 129 satellite was repositioned higher to provide better coverage.

Usually when checking signal strength, the 129 satellite (which has a separate dish) shows the best signal at my house. Last night there was no signal at all from the 129 satellite and fine again today. This is at my house in FL.

[wa8yxm]

You said you bought it from Amazon.. Question: New or Used?

I can see two, or 3, possible issues, 2 of them are Fraud.

1: Though today DISH does indeed sell receivers it seems... They did not always, if yours is used it may not have been authorized by DISH for sale.
(NOTE: By "It seems" I mean that I am not even close to being sure)

2: IF you bought it used, it may be there is an "Outstanding Balance" on the prior owner's account that was not paid off.

And the 3rd posibility.

You entered the wrong number. For whatever reason the number you typed in is not correct.

[HobbyTalk]

The people running the DishForMyRV is a Dish retailer, not Dish itself. If they want they can refuse to activate your receiver if you did not buy it from them.

[Bremer Speck]

there is a direct link on the Dish web site to this company. So I did not question this when I decided to go through them.
As regards the purchase on Amazon, I bought a new unit but it was shipped from an Amazon affiliate. There was nothing in terms of shipping documents, which directed me to call one or the other number for activation. So I assumed that the other guys would activate it, no questions asked. There was NO smart card included with the unit. I do not know, if I would have needed one.
I have already made return shipping arrangements back to Amazon and reordered from the DishformyRV company.
As for updating the KVH dish, my local dealer will charge me less than $350 for converting from DirecTV to Dish.
I had actually intended to get a new KVH dish but my dealer talked me into this simple and much less expensive software upgrade.
The funny thing is, when I contacted KVH about this, they told me it cannot be done. My dealer claims otherwise and given that he opted not to sell me a new dish, I believe that he is right.
I should know better later on this coming Friday.

[RJRobb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay When I called the dealer I was told it would cost $600 dollars to upgrade and reprogram the software. I told him no thanks.

You need to talk to another dealer! The parameter changes are simple, upgrading the software is optional. No hardware changes required.