Can anyone explain the FCC rule that states we can't have the DNS program if we have a home DTV unit and try to take it on the road and get local network stations.
DNS is the network stations from NY or LA, which we though we could get when we travel. BUT, now, because we have a residence, and not just an RV, DTV says we can't get local stations and we can't get DNS, and even if we could, it's additional fee ($15 a mo. - is that right?).
When we first signed up, DTV (untrained CS rep) said all we had to do is call in and change zip code, but then we find out we can only do that ONCE every six months, so any other zip changes will not get us local.
I know, some of you will say, just get antenna for local - that's not my question, so please save that answer for someone else.
FCC has nothing to do with it. Its all up to your dish provider. They are private companies, and can do whatever they want to. Fcc does have some say-so about what they must provide. They are not allowed to rebroadcast a local OTA station unless they have a contract with the local station, and pay for that access. Again, its all about money.. Same as if it was government.
Noel and Betty Johnson 2005 GulfStream Ultra Supreme, 1 wife, 1 Poodle
If you have DTV at home and want to use a receiver from there, you can't get spot beamed locals when away from your home beam.
If you want DNS in your RV, you need to get a second account with separate receiver and pay for DNS reception. That's what I do. It doesn't cost me any more because when I leave home I suspend my home account and activate the RV account, and vice versa when I get back home. I still pay for only one account at a time.
Will & Di
2004 Southwind 32VS
Workhorse/8.1
Jeep Wrangler/Blue Ox "We have met the enemy, and he is us" Pogo
In order to get DTV Local channels you must be in the are of your billing address. That is the only way they can prove you are there and the FCC requires that you actually BE in the area in order to receive those local channels.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
Call directiv and ask to speak to a retention manager.
Explain your situation (false expectations resulting from a know nothing directiv rep) and ask for a way to make everything suit your needs (like the 2 account approach per wilanddij).
Dish got into trouble by ignoring the FTC rules on DNS, so don't expect directv to break the rules - but they may be open to working around them.
BTW, if you want to get local stations over the satellite anywhere in the US, you need to have the 5 LNB dish.
monkey44 wrote: Can anyone explain the FCC rule that states we can't have the DNS program if we have a home DTV unit and try to take it on the road and get local network stations.
DNS is the network stations from NY or LA, which we though we could get when we travel. BUT, now, because we have a residence, and not just an RV, DTV says we can't get local stations and we can't get DNS, and even if we could, it's additional fee ($15 a mo. - is that right?).
When we first signed up, DTV (untrained CS rep) said all we had to do is call in and change zip code, but then we find out we can only do that ONCE every six months, so any other zip changes will not get us local.
I know, some of you will say, just get antenna for local - that's not my question, so please save that answer for someone else.
It is not the FCC that decides who can receive DNS; it is the US Congress. You may wish to read US Code Title 17 Section 119. Generally, the copyright laws do not allow a satellite provide to offer both local channels and DNS service to the same household.
Johno02 wrote: FCC has nothing to do with it. Its all up to your dish provider.
Sorry to tell you this but it is an FCC rule.
Depends on the type of account the RVer has.
Many folks here have Direc (or DIsh) at home and take a spare receiver to the RV, IF the home is in an area that gets local network stations (That is you can get network TV with an over the air antenna) then by law the sat providers may NOT offer you Distant Network, only the locals spot beamed.
HOWEVER if you have an RV account, (or a Semi Truck account) then since your "house" moves about the country it qualifies.
Now, many RVers have managed to get DNS inspite of not having an RV account, DIsh got sued over that why DirecTV has not I do not know or understand.
I do know that one of the networks, in fact the KEY network that forced the judge to injoin DISH from offering DNS, One of the major stock holders also has an interest in DirecTV.
By the way the "logic" beind this law is advertising fees paid to the local stations.
My advice (And it it is too late for the original poster) is to not get a home account, Get an RV account only, use the spare receiver with your ground mount RV dish, at home when parked there.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
Okay, wanted to get some answers first, and then take the next step.
DTV charged my CC over $300 for early disconnect. I've filed with CC company and with local consumer affairs. DTV said when we signed up that we could get "full-services" at home and then simply move it into our RV, including local stations when we moved if we called and gave the zip code.
Turns out, all that is false - based on the above, which we found out AFTER we signed up. SO, because DTV employees gave us false info, they violated the contract (verbal of course, that's all you can get) so, now DTV is lying and said it told us these facts. DTV did not tell us, and in one part of its answer to these agencies states a part of what we're saying as the truth, enough to prove they "bend the truth" when signing customers.
In fact, part of our proof is they changed our address several times during a month on the road. But even that didn't work and we never got the local zip stations either.
But, our case is that they offered a service they did not provide - and so we cancelled. They never told us we couldn't go back and forth from the house, and never told us we had to pay extra for DNS service and that we needed a completely separate account for RV service.
However, both agencies say "You're right, but we (the agency) can't do anything unless you prove they're lying." Well, how do you prove a verbal lie" And, "Who records every converstion" that's ridiculous.
SO, both agendies (CC and FCA) says, "take them to court and you'll win."
Well, what kind of advice is that? And, how can CC allow a charge that is not authorized? So, the battle continues ...
We always pay our bills electronic check - but when we signed up, DTV said we need a CC to verify your identity. The charged a $1.00 fee to verify, then refunded it. OKAY, now DTV has our CC number and used it to 'steal' the over-charge.
SO, basically, if anyone signs up to DTV, don't give them a CC number ... because it will steal those fees and you'll have to go to court to get a refund even if DTV is at fault. They know most people won't.
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