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Dave_From_AK's avatar
Dave_From_AK
Explorer
Feb 04, 2015

DirecTV, Phoenix locals, and VuCube Flex antenna

A friend has DirecTV, connected with a VuCube Flex portable antenna. He gave DirecTV a Phoenix address to get the receiver in his fiver activated. We are in Puerto PeƱasco, just south of the border, where other DirecTV users get the Phoenix locals.

Should he be able to get Phoenix locals with that antenna? It does not do HD when used with DirecTV.

Are locals (not DNS) an extra cost item with DirecTV?

I have Dish Network and have no experience with DirecTV.
  • Should get Phoenix locals. Not in HD. DNS replaces local stations and yes there is s fee. You shouldn't need DNS to get network stations.
  • Rollnhome wrote:
    ...DNS replaces local stations and yes there is s fee. ...
    Yes, there is a fee for local stations? I know there is for DNS.
  • If you are within 150 miles of your home base you should get your locals even if you have a DNS account.
    If you are more than 150 miles from your home base you will not get your locals. If you want locals over 150 miles from home base you must either get the digital channels "over air" with a digital TV or converter box.
    If you pay extra for DNS you would get west coast affiliate CBS, NBC, ABC not local channels.
  • sdianel wrote:
    If you are within 150 miles of your home base you should get your locals even if you have a DNS account.
    If you are more than 150 miles from your home base you will not get your locals.


    Not quite. The locals are spot beamed to an area, in this case Phoenix and are not centered on your house. They are generally egg shaped and are usually longer north to South than east west. If you are located near the edge of the beam you may go 10 - 20 miles in one direction and lose locals and several hundred miles in another and keep the locals.
    To the OP do an internet search for DirecTV spot beams. There are several sites with maps of the spot beams. Find the Phoenix beam and it will show you how far south you can usually get the locals.

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