Why can't I just simply use the spot beams in my new locations to view local channels? Why does DirecTV keep you locked on to your billing area for local channels? Is there any work around besides getting the deal where you can only get LA or NY locals? Thanks.

Because that's the way they do business. The only workaround, and this changes by the month, is to call them and have them change your locals. They will likely only do this once or twice a year.Many people simply find it easier to crank up the OTA antenna.

Are you aware that there is an over-the-air tuner that integrates with many DirecTV receivers and DVRs? There is no monthly charge, just a one-time purchase. The local stations end up fully integrated with the DirecTV Guide just as if they are being received from the satellite. You can even use your DVR to record programs: AM21 TunerWe happen to have DNS service which gets us the NY stations everywhere we go, but we also enjoy watching local news on occasion. This tuner lets us do that without having to change our service address every time we change locations.

Pirate wrote:Why can't I just simply use the spot beams in my new locations to view local channels? Why does DirecTV keep you locked on to your billing area for local channels? Is there any work around besides getting the deal where you can only get LA or NY locals? Thanks.Why? I am not kidding when I say that no one knows! You can call Dish and they will change you location once or 20 times per year. They really don't seem to care and there are no rules, regulations or laws that would restrict Dish or DirecTV from doing this. No service can do it automatically (wouldn't that be great!) but a call to Dish or Direct "should" get you your new locals. I can tell you that DirecTV WILL change your locals. Is it easy? Not usually. If you only move locations a few times per year you can call and call and call until you find someone who is capable of thinking outside the box. Just tell them that you are moving to your Winter (Spring, Summer, Fall) home and you need service changed to that zip code.If you move often or full-time you will likely find the programming from NY and LA to be more convenient and you can use your OTA antenna for the brief periods where local Networks have any value (weather, etc.).

I am buying an Am-21 for the house, for MeTV or something like that, but even for where I am now, outside of Philly, I can pick up a couple of channels on the regular tuner. I can't get a grasp of what or why directrv would not leave the spot beams unlocked or open. If you aren't in the footprint, you can't receive. Must be some anal decision of some form.

From wikipedia:"Spot beams allow satellites to transmit different data signals using the same frequency. Because satellites have a limited number of frequencies to use, the ability to re-use a frequency for different geographical locations (without different data interfering with each other at the receiver) allows for more local channels to be carried, since the same frequency can be used in several regions."

DirecTV Spot Beams/Local Channels | Good Sam Community

Pirate1
Explorer
May 09, 2013
I have the newest Traveler and an HR-24. So, I still don't understand from Directv business position why I can't have the locals no matter where I am at.
Pirate1
Explorer
May 09, 2013
I have the newest Traveler and an HR-24. So, I still don't understand from Directv business position why I can't have the locals no matter where I am at.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
May 09, 2013
Pirate wrote:
Well, you would think one could just change the location code (zip) to receive locals where you are at. Still don't understand what the problem is. The satellite is beaming down the local data to that footprint. The data is available. Why can't Directv let my receiver receive it?

The receiver "can receive". However, an SD receiver is not capable of receiving the signals broadcast on the 99 and 103 satellites. If that's where the locals are broadcast (and they are in many cases) you will not get any locals.
Time and technology moves on. You either choose to keep up or choose to be left in the dust!
Pirate1
Explorer
May 08, 2013
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Pirate1
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Well, you would think one could just change the location code (zip) to receive locals where you are at. Still don't understand what the problem is. The satellite is beaming down the local data to that footprint. The data is available. Why can't Directv let my receiver receive it?
imamech2
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Being able to receive locals also depends on the type of receiver you have and the area you are at. Some areas like west Texas you have to have a high def receiver to be able to pick up locals. If you have a standard receiver you will not be able to pick up our local channels at all.
hitchup
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Our Billing Address and Service address are always different. Sometimes in different Time Zones, too.

DirecTV will change it for us everytime we call. It just takes a couple of calls, because they may spell street names wrong. We do it at least 2-3X a year. When we're drifting between projects, we depend on the NY/LA stations more.
docj
Explorer
May 07, 2013
varankins3 wrote:
I am a frustrated Rv'er when it comes to deciding about getting a satellite. It is true that you have to have your satellite hard wired onto your RV and register it with the FCC in order to have DISH change your receiving location? It seems I get a different answer every time I think I am going to buy a portable satellite. And to those who say use the OTA antenna...there are NO local channels in Key West so if you want tv...satellite is it.

IMHO I think you've confused a number of things. We have DNS service which does require us to file a form that states that our satellite receiver is in an RV, but that's not "registering your RV with the FCC" nor is our receiver any more "hardwired" into our MH than anyone else's. However, none of this has anything to do with your ability to have your location changed by Dish (or DTV) so you can get local channels.
Aridon
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Options:

Get the OTA AM21 box

Deal with it and call or go without

Change your address onces to a NY or LA market area and enjoy DNS on conus without going through any paperwork.
varankins3
Explorer
May 07, 2013
I am a frustrated Rv'er when it comes to deciding about getting a satellite. It is true that you have to have your satellite hard wired onto your RV and register it with the FCC in order to have DISH change your receiving location? It seems I get a different answer every time I think I am going to buy a portable satellite. And to those who say use the OTA antenna...there are NO local channels in Key West so if you want tv...satellite is it.