Forum Discussion

starlord's avatar
starlord
Explorer
Jun 26, 2017

S.O.L.?

Ok, so here's a question. I just bought a satellite and receiver because I was in Missouri last month and where we were at I could only get one channel, Fox news out of Iowa and it's secondary channel Grit. So I'm thinking since I have a trip coming up where I may be T.V. deficient again I'd get the set up and the month at a time plan. However, after reading about the "local" pkg. it seems I won't be able to get local wherever I am. Is this true? Any way to get local on the satellite if your too far away for antennae use?
  • You can call Dish if that is your service provider and change your "service adderss". Ask for the locals at the service address also. It will work fine. Service address is the address where you will be in the rv.
  • starlord wrote:
    Ok, so here's a question. I just bought a satellite and receiver because I was in Missouri last month and where we were at I could only get one channel, Fox news out of Iowa and it's secondary channel Grit. So I'm thinking since I have a trip coming up where I may be T.V. deficient again I'd get the set up and the month at a time plan. However, after reading about the "local" pkg. it seems I won't be able to get local wherever I am. Is this true? Any way to get local on the satellite if your too far away for antennae use?

    who is your svc provider...dish, direct tv or shaw?
  • Yep, on the "Service Address" make sure you tell them just the "Service Address" and NOT the Billing address (Assuming DISH here, you didn't indicate who the service was.

    Sometimes you won't be at a "Proper Address"... like parking lot or boonie camping...
    I just look up the local USPS, copy/paste that address into the DISH >Billing >Chat and just type in, please update my "Service Address" to.. (paste the USPS address) ..

    Takes about 3 min for them to change and maybe up to 30 min for the program guide to update..

    Hope that helps..
  • Yes, you can get locals (or nearby locals) where ever you go. You just don't get them automatically. You have to call Dish when you move too far to receive the last set of locals and let them know where you are currently located. Dish Chat is the BEST option but you can call and try to get the moron on the other end of the line to understand what you want to do. For chat, setup a script. "I have moved my RV from this address (including zip code) to this address (including zip code) and I need to have the service address (not billing address) updated to this address as soon as possible."
  • If by locals you mean your hometown locals the answer is no.
    If by locals you mean the local channels from the nearest major city the answer is yes, at least for Dish. We have the Dish pay as you go monthly plan. If we are outside our local reception area I just call or on line chat Dish, tell them to change our service address to that current location, and within a few minutes have those local network channels.
  • Thanks for the replies. Yes, Dish's pay as you go monthly plan was what I was referencing since I don't know of a similar Direct plan (I have Direct at home but am going to do the monthly plan Dish has). Sounds good that I'll be able to do "local" channels on the plan, we about got burned out on Death Valley Days on that MO stay, and I couldn't find out if I could pick up Cleveland, Ohio (75 miles) or Columbus, Ohio (72 miles) off of the R.V. Jack antennae for the week we'll be at that location. Once again, thanks for the replies.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    The best way to get local weather is to get a Weather-All Hazzrds Radio .. SAME technology optional. You want one that has an EXTERNAL ANT jack so you can put a Scanner, or 2-meter ham, antenna on the OUTSIDE (roof is nice) of your RV (NOTE Pay attention to overhall height, Hitting bridges can damage the antenna).

    NO need for Internet or Television reception.. Most of the US is covered by one of the NOAA transmitters. plug they can wake you up if the need is broadcast (IE: Tornado watch/warning).
  • If you are already paying for DirecTV, why add Dish when you can simply take your DirecTV receivers from the house when you travel?
    Using any satellite TV option you can call Dish or DirecTV and get the Network programming ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox local to where the RV is parked. You give them the zip code of your location and that's the Networks you receive. Sometimes there can be 2 different sets of Networks and if they are both close enough you can give an address in that market. Each market size varies dramatically from only a few hundred miles to well over 1000.
  • Bill.Satellite wrote:
    If you are already paying for DirecTV, why add Dish when you can simply take your DirecTV receivers from the house when you travel?
    Using any satellite TV option you can call Dish or DirecTV and get the Network programming ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox local to where the RV is parked. You give them the zip code of your location and that's the Networks you receive. Sometimes there can be 2 different sets of Networks and if they are both close enough you can give an address in that market. Each market size varies dramatically from only a few hundred miles to well over 1000.

    I agree, and besides that, Direct TV has a great weather forcast channel,.... 9999 (same as the "active" button on the older remotes) that not only give very accurate weather forcast, but also has 6 presets for 6 different citys anywhere in the country, and also give a ton of other information for the city selected !!
  • Wow!

    Before looking at this thread, I thought S.O.L. meant something other than "Search Out Locals".

    :C