37 replies to this topic

[jimpat4649]

We switched to DirecTV from DISH while at Redmond FMCA Convention.

We were told/re-assured with the RV waiver etc we could still get East & West Coast feeds of National Networks with DirecTV.

We've been trying to get the promised East & West with DIrect TV; however, now they say No, the Fed Govt doesn't allow it.

Anyone know if this is true; or just another Frustration?

By the way, when we were with DISH we also had to subscribe to All American Direct (may have name change) for the East and West feeds of National Networks.

[TBUTLER]

I don't know what the regulations are now but I can tell you that we have DirecTV and we have both East and West feeds for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX. I don't know if CW is on this list or not. We are unable to get a national feed for PBS since that is available at our service address in South Dakota (near Sioux Falls). We switched from Dish to DirecTV in 2003 when we purchased our current motor home. It came with a DirecTV receiver and it was simply easier to switch than fight! At that time we were able to get PBS but that was withdrawn about 2 years later when PBS became available on the Sioux Falls local channel spot broadcast from DirecTV. I'm fairly certain that you need to keep calling customer service until you get a representative with a brain who will listen to you and respond appropriately.

It is no secret that RV's are stepchildren when it comes to satellite TV service. We are a tiny part of their market and we can take it or leave it, they really don't care. Besides, we are too difficult to support. They can't count on us to be in any one place. Our equipment is manufacturer installed and some equipment is industry specific, not something their robot installers can deal with without thinking. Besides, do you really want one of their installers to work on your RV anyway? I can think of a dozen cartoons related to this!

It is sort of ironic that the television technology which is completely mobile is hostile to the mobile community because of the neglect or ignorance of the companies that provide the service.

And yes, I love satellite TV. Couldn't live without it.

[jimpat4649]

Thank you for the prompt reply. We will continue to haunt DirecTV...
We're also fulltimers; celebrating 8 years on October 2! Our address, vehicles regist are in Sioux Falls SD- Minnehaha County;
where our niece lives; but we use a PMB.

We had been with DISH for over 14 years; until a glitch just before Redmond! They insisted our problem was BOTH our antennas- the KVH dome and our
free standing.... Service call (plus$$) proved their Receiver was the problem... but no solution from DISH. They didn't care if we left; and they refunded the remaining 10 months of our prepaid annual subscription.

I've been trying to google etc searches to see if there are new Fed Regulations that don't allow East & West.
One comical reply: the new law is to prevent being able to see Game Shows and Reality TV answers and results before you are supposed to in your own time zone!
Gee, they better stop Internet broadcasts too! if that's the case.

[TBUTLER]

Bill is correct. Send in the form and you should be fine.

We also have a PMB so that doesn't make any difference.

[jimpat4649]

Thank you for the advice Bill.
However, the waiver was signed, faxed with copies of our Motorhome Vehicle Registration along with the requested copies of our Driver's Licenses on August 13, 2010 with Credit card payment in full and CC automatic payments set up.
On Sept 13, 2010 we received notice from our CC that our SECOND month of service (including Distant Networks) has been paid to DirecTV.

Phone calls to DirecTV by our Installer (one of the Vendors at the FMCA Convention in Redmond) and ourselves have been UNSUCCESSFUL for us to get West Coast Distant Networks feed.

We have followed the advice of our Installer for re-booting etc etc etc the system.
We have completed the requested 48hour "wait" period several times the past 5 weeks.

Since Halloween is already featured in stores, I may have to haunt DirecTV... wouldn't you at this point?

By the way, DISH - the final straw for them supposedly was: after Katrina in New Orleans, DISH set up and provided TV with East & West; which violated Fed regs....their kindness backfired when they continued supplying this service for longer than necessary.

[jimpat4649]

Over 90 minutes spent going in circles with DirecTV....with several reps and supervisors etc
Verified they have our RV Waiver, Vehicle Registrations on file.
At one point we were told we needed to FAX our CDL Driver's Licenses!

Again we were told it is NOW illegal to receive East and West Distant Networks!

Here's our bill- note the Network Package.
Since our KVH dome antenna is not HD capable, we'd give up HD and just get Standard feed for East and West.

09/14 10/13 CHOICE ULTIMATE Monthly 68.99
09/14 10/13 HD Access Monthly 10.00
09/14 10/13 Network Package Monthly 15.00
09/14 10/13 DIRECTV DVR Service Monthly 7.00
09/14 10/13 DIRECTV on DEMAND Tune to Ch. 1000 for more info 0.00

Fees 09/15 Primary Leased Receiver 5.00


Where can I find out if there has been New/Recent Fed laws preventing East & West?
Maybe you are under old rules/contract and are allowed to receive E&W; but new subscribers can't??????

[jimpat4649]

We're only trying to get E&W standard def; (not HD for anything, even though we have HD for Life under the new Promo.)
Our KVH dome is not HD capable, we will accept Standard Def.
We would only get HD with our free standing tripod antenna- which DirecTV then says we aren't eligible for DNS because we don't have a fixed/permanent antenna or whatever term they use for RV waiver! Another circle of excuses/reasoning.
Service Address is Sioux Falls, SD = Central Time zone. NOTE: Mr Butler has same and receives E&W DNS.
Right now, we're receiving East DNS for NYC; it can't be HD because our KVH dome isn't capable.
By the way, our MH is a 2007; fairly new & not about to spend $$$ to upgrade KVH; not that that would help this situation with DirecTV.

We questioned the $15 monthly Charge which is the charge that other DirecTV RV customers are paying for E&W; DirecTV is good with circles of excuses and can't answer us! We figure we won't argue that charge/payment in case that would jeopardize us that we aren't paying and therefore won't receive DNS- Oh look: another circle Catch 22!

I've searched google etc for "new" FCC regs for E&W DNS and must not have the key search word.
You and Mr Butler may both be receiving E&W under "grandfather" contract and New subscribers are prevented?

Can you understand our frustration?

I appreciate both yours and Mr Butler's input and advice.
Part of my initial Post was to see if any New DirecTV subscribers are having the same issue. I'm not sure if they weren't having a problem they'd want to risk or jeopardize their own feed and share info here.

Now maybe this could serve as a "warning" if there are new Fed Regs......for new subscribers

[TBUTLER]

We would only get HD with our free standing tripod antenna- which DirecTV then says we aren't eligible for DNS because we don't have a fixed/permanent antenna or whatever term they use for RV waiver! Another circle of excuses/reasoning.

I think the answer to your problems is right there. The "fixed/permanent" antenna clause does not allow a standing tripod antenna. A fixed permanent antenna is a dome or collapsible dish permanently mounted to the vehicle. Drop your HD service. Ditch (or tell them you have) the tripod antenna and reapply. I think that having the HD service on your account with the requirement for a tripod antenna is the problem. The law that allows them to offer the nationwide broadcasts does require the fixed/permanent antenna attached to a vehicle. That means only a fixed/permanent antenna.

[jimpat4649]

Legislation was passed on July 28, 2010 and enacted on August 1, 2010.

East and West feeds are not available.

[jimpat4649]

I know you are very skeptical about our experience and I appreciate your info and advice; along with Mr Butler's.
I wish I could shorten this up, but I want to address the input from you and Mr Butler.

Our RV is registered in South Dakota in my husband's name.
We are Full-timers since October 2002; no permanent residence; only PMB for address in South Dakota.

We have Faxed our info and waiver (again) to the FAX number you provided; same one we used in mid-August 2010.
We have requested dropping HD since our KVH dome is incapable of receiving HD. The Vendor we dealt with informed DirecTV we turned in the Tripod/LNB's he provided back to him and thus can not receive HD.
We have jumped through every hoop...
I am quite stubborn and this frustration....
well; I just want to let others be aware of this - just in case they find themselves in a similar situation.

Perhaps you may wish to verify this info (E & W not available) on your own; call DIrecTV Toll Free from a PayPhone (?) so as not to link to your own accounts. For DISH, DNS provided by Sobongo (Formally known as All American Direct) at 800-909-9677.
Calls to them also share the same info: East and West NOT available to new subscribers. Their website has NOT been updated to indicate the new restrictions; but calling them verifies unavailable E & W to New subscribers.

If we had signed with Direct TV prior to July 28, 2010, we would have been grandfatherd under the old FCC Rules and been able to receive E&W Distant Networks; like yourself, Mr Butler and several thousand (?) other (grandfathered) RVers.

I have NOT been able to find any other New (after 1 August 2010) Subscriber willing to share their experience; goood or bad.
If you know someone willing to share their success as a new subscriber to give us some leverage, we'd appreciate it.

Our own UPDATE: DirecTV: Contracts do not guarantee DNS; thus we would have to pay the Early Contract Cancellation fee; minimum of $20/month for the remaining 22 months of our 2 year Contract; approximately $440. Plus return the Receiver (at our expense).

The FMCA Redmond Convention Vendor we signed with for DirecTV has made attempts to resolve this with DirecTV, shared our frustration and extends apoplogies without a solution.
Naturally, we can attempt to use our batwing for Local Channels... since currently (temporarily) we are on the West Coast and our SD address (Central time) gives us East Distant Networks with DirecTV; but that can't be hooked up to the DVR.
It was a matter of timing and our luck.... all for TV!
If this ever resolves somehow.... I'll be certain to Post here.
Again, thank you for your advice and replies.

[jimpat4649]

Bill, I appreciate your input.
However, what is on the Internet and what signals they will allow us are not the same and what DirecTV states to us with each & every phone call.

DirecTV has our Waiver, South Dakota Vehicle Registration- which doesn't expire until Mar 2011, Copies of our South Dakota Driver's Licenses valid until 2014.

[RickO]

If you are an existing DNS customer you can opt for the new single coast package or you can send in a post card you should receive in time for the mid-November deadline and continue to receive both coasts plus the extra channels for $20/month.

Hi Bill...

I read the Directv letter they've been sending out to existing DNS customers and I'm still a little confused. I'm an existing DNS HD customer. Do you interpret the new offering as allowing me to get HD feeds from both coasts for $20?

Thanks,

Rick