Direct tv in Montana - Montana Owners Club

cmawendy · 05-07-2010, 07:17 AM

We arrived in Montana and set up our direct tv dish like usual and called direct tv to get the local channels only to find out that direct tv does not offer local channels in Montana! So we had to apply for access to a west coast feed...so far CBS has denied access waiting for the other networks answer. Has anyone else had this problem in Montana??

HamRad · 05-07-2010, 08:22 AM

Mark and Wendy,
It does not surprise me that there is no or at least very limited "local" channels access in Montana. There are few large towns and probably a very limited number of local stations.

DNS east and west is what we have in addition to "locals". Of course you can only receive "local" within a 2 to 3 hundred mile radius. We have never changed our "local" channels while on the road. We usually are only in one place for a week or so at a time. If we want "local" stuff we just put the antenna up.

Good luck.
Dennis

Jolu · 05-07-2010, 08:39 AM

We do pretty much as Dennis does. When traveling if we get out of the local footprint area and we want locals we just crank up the antenna with the Winegard Wingman. Actually we don't watch the locals all that much.

H. John Kohl · 05-07-2010, 09:29 AM

I applied for an RV waiver for the east west channels. Had to provide registration for Monty and it does cost an additional fee.
I would go back to direct TV (that is who I have) and work with them again.
Good luck,

Exnavydiver · 05-07-2010, 01:05 PM

Call them back and ask for DNS or Distant Network service rep. If they tell you there is no such thing hang up and call back. It may take a few calls but they can email you the waiver and you can fax it back with a "copy" of your RV registration... Dave

cmawendy · 05-07-2010, 02:40 PM

So what exactly is the DNS? Do we have to get rid of the dish we already have? We have the waiver but wasn't really clear on what exactly it envolves.

H. John Kohl · 05-07-2010, 03:12 PM

This Direct TV Q&A many help.

KardRV · 05-07-2010, 03:36 PM

When we went to Yellowstone with out Direct TV box and a dish, I was told that I would be able to get the cable channels any where I went, but if I was outside my local area I would not be able to get the LOCAL channels. This isn't a big deal for us, many channels that broadcast weather and such for the states we travel through.

cmawendy · 05-07-2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We called Direct tv back and the guy said they have submitted a request for us to get the west coast/east coast feeds and it might take up to 45 days for an answer. I don't think this is the same thing as the DNS as we didn't fill out anything or send a copy of our registration on the 5th wheel. I don't think the guy we talked to at direct tv knows what he is doing..........

jackandh2o · 05-07-2010, 08:51 PM

Mark, I think you need to follow Exnavydivers advice. It sounds like they think you want distant channels for a permanent residence.
You need to talk to someone who understands rv's and distant networks.
I believe you will need to fax your registration to them. If they are not asking for it you are in the wrong department. Unfortunately only about 1 in 5 understand what you are talking about. Once you get the right person and they get your registration it should only be a flip of the switch and you are ready to go.

Ray

cmawendy · 05-08-2010, 05:08 AM

Ok I talked to someone at directv that actually knew what they were talking about and just need to fill out the waiver and copy of registration of 5th wheel and send back to them....just like you all said lol. For those who are curious it costs 14.00 more a month to get this added on to the package you already have. Thanks for all your help!! I love this site

bob n pam · 05-08-2010, 11:13 AM

Well, I was going to chime in supporting the waiver, etc., but since you already did it, I won't!

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