DirecTv Local Spotbeam Maps

Wish I was still involved. After Winegard cast me away after updating their entire training program I am really happy in my new career. I hope to be able to continue to contribute where I can but I am always open to learning.

Thanks Bill glad I could help,

Can't count the number of times I've learned about sat TV from you.

CA Traveler wrote:
There are a lot of variables that effect sat reception. It would appear to me that I could get Huston SD channels in Dallas but not HD channels.

I sure wish I was as smart as some of the folks on this forum!!!!
Yep, I surely can pick up the Houston SD channels here in Dallas. I had no reason to look but it certainly is an interesting bit of information. Thanks for helping me learn something today. :C

Most of the spot beams are anything but round and they vary by satellite. That means that the coverage for SD and HD will be different. For example, I can receive the STL HD locals as far south as Red Bay, AL and north at least to Davenport, IA which is a distance of at least 750 miles. However, I can only go west about 200 miles and still get a signal.

CA Traveler wrote:
Jeff,

I've gotten LA HD locals in Sac and Phoenix but that's nearing my limit.

That 'feels' about right.

Once upon a time I had some spot maps that showed channel and polarity re-use CONUS that I think came out of Hughes Space Systems. I thought they were so cool I saved them in a place I wouldn't forget.

Can't find em'

I will check SD later when the bus gets out of the shop. That would be interesting. Not important, of course, as getting Local Houston is really no help while in Dallas. I have DNS if I want to record something or I could add an AM-21 to my Genie so everywhere was local.

Jeff,

I've gotten LA HD locals in Sac and Phoenix but that's nearing my limit.

BTW My RF Mogul dish is 70 cm (75 available) which allows me to receive signals out to the pink outline on the maps. Smaller dishes and especially domes might be restricted to the white outline.

There are a lot of variables that effect sat reception. It would appear to me that I could get Huston SD channels in Dallas but not HD channels.

There is also considerable coverage from the Huston spot beam down to the SW or take your boat out into the Gulf.

Another factor: IF the spot beams are a circle then the further north they are aimed then the shape becomes more of an ellipse due to the earth surface angle. This is very clear on the SF map and since the sats are to the east the ellipse is a good fit for the west coast. The Philly map is similar. Also not that the Huston map is centered near Huston while the SF map is centered near Sacramento.

I'm here in Dallas. No signal from Houston!
All maps are estimates....YMMV!