Football Junky...but hate DirecTV

My problem with DirectTV is when I am not using the RV for several months. I am required to call DirectTV and purchase the cheapest TV package they have ($29.95) per month for each month I am not using it. If I don't do that, they will require me to start another 2 year contract each time I start to use the RV again.
I believe the NFL package is around $250 per season - but it is a decent service - if you like football.

Phydeauxman wrote:
I don't want to have DirecTV at home...would like to have it in the RV only. I am sure this is not going to work but thought I would ask anyway to see what others have done.

There is no reason it wont work, you just have to work through it one step at a time, and decide if its practical& affordable for your needs.
tens of thousands of RV's have DTV service. Most start out with DTV at home and take a receiver with them when they head out in the RV. if you don't have & don't want DTV at home, that's ok too, you just have to approach it a bit differently.
Yes, an RV account is similar to a home account, you pay the same monthly equipment/programming fees regardless of how much or how little you use it. There may be a way to temporarily suspend service for certain durations if you're not using the RV or the DTV service at all; or just cancel and reactivate next year, with extra fees. I've never been in that situation, but ask a DTV customer service rep.
Its a bit more frustrating dealing with an RV account because many of the DTV reps don't know anything about RV's. Many of their installers won't deal with RV installations. Unless you're a DIY type you'll need to find an independent DTV installer willing to work on RV systems.
All you need is an antenna, compatible receiver, an activated account, and be parked where your antenna has a clear view of the southern sky.
Things that can complicate it:

different types of RV antennas: dome type (SD only, no HD), roof mounted vs tripod type - setup/tear down each move, HD vs SD types, etc

local chans vs DNS national chans : with a mobile RV account you're entitled to get the network feeds (abc/cbs/nbc/fox) from either the east coast (NY) or west coast (LA); this requires mailing DTV a copy of your RV reg and a signed FCC waiver form agreeing that you will only use this recvr in a mobile vehicle/boat/truck. otherwise you're limited to the local chans spot feed depending on your actual location; and when you move to a new location (usually more than 150-200 miles) you call and have DTV change your service location if you want those locals.

the newer technologies that allow watching diff chans at the same time ; recording & watching diff chans, whole house DVR, etc are all things that add to the potential complexities in an RV installation.

I use to have DirecTv so I could watch the Detroit Red wings here in Colorado and it cost the bucks to find out the game had been blacked out somehow.

Now I watch them online along with just about any other sporting event I could think of on wiziwig for free.

accsys wrote:
One down side to RVing with Sunday Ticket is that you will not receive the local game for your service area on Sunday Ticket - they expect you to get that from your local channels. As long as you are in the spot beam for your local service area that isn't a problem but if you are outside that spot beam and can't get your normal local channels you will not get the local ballgame.

That won't be an issue for me 99.999999% of the time because I live in the DC area (Redskins/Purple Chickens) and my team are the Saints. Only time I might run into an issue is if the Saints are playing in the area and if that happens, I will likely be at the game instead of camping :).

One down side to RVing with Sunday Ticket is that you will not receive the local game for your service area on Sunday Ticket - they expect you to get that from your local channels. As long as you are in the spot beam for your local service area that isn't a problem but if you are outside that spot beam and can't get your normal local channels you will not get the local ballgame.

I don't want to have DirecTV at home...would like to have it in the RV only. I am sure this is not going to work but thought I would ask anyway to see what others have done.

Byron a simple call to DirecTV should answer you question. JMO

The suggestion to move your receiver from your home to your RV is a good one. I did that for some time. One thing to consider is the type of dish you have on your RV. Unless quite new it is probably not HD so the picture will still work but not be of the same quality you get at home. Adding the NFL package to your account is easy, but you will pay an additional fee each month for it. If you call DirecTV at the end of the football season, you can cancel the package and reduce your cost. Trust me, they won't think of this on their own.

If you set up a separate DirecTV account for your RV, you pay just like the home account. Better plan would be to just take a home receiver with you in the RV whenever you leave. You probably won't get your local network stations if you get too far away from home (unless your home market is either New York City or Los Angeles). Using your home receiver won't cost you anything above your regular service.

al

dish has pay as you go no contract buy a reciever off amazon or ebay