That "reconditioned" receiver story is similar to what happen a few months ago with Direct. Since being with them so long, I own my equipment and one receiver I have is the Old RCA with the low speed data port which I needed for the Datron Sat system on the MH. Another long story short, Direct doesn't want me to use that old RCA so they said, we need to replace it.....so they send me a reconditioned receiver...WOW, that must have been a BIG expense for a long time customer!!!! I wanted the access card to stay active, they told me...Oh, no problem, we'll just have to charge you 5.00 a month(the only way my Datron would work in the auto mode was with the older receiver). I go on vacation and its been cancelled! I guess in the long run its time to make a change so I can join the 21st century lol