Question about SHVA

[Marvin]

First time posting here, but I was hoping that someone could answer my question.

I've had a C-Band system for about 10 years and have enjoyed it, but over the last year the box and remote have both had problems and its been hard to find replacements. I have decided that it might be time to switch to Directv (or Dish Network, Im not sure..).

Anyway, I had been getting the 4 distant networks since at least 1996, and I remember when the SHVA thing passed that I was told I was grandfathered in under the law and could continue to recieve the distant networks. Two years ago when I switched C-Band providers, they originally were only going to let me have NBC and FOX, but when I mentioned that I had been grandfathered in under the act to get ABC and CBS, they asked me to fax a receipt from my previous provider showing that I had been getting the Networks and once they got it they authorized the networks for me.

I was wondering if I switch to Directv, would I would still be considered grandfathered in under the act like I was with the C-Band dish? Its kind of a sticking point as to whether or not I'll switch over, since even though I supposedly have Grade A reception of my two local networks (ABC, CBS), I can't get either of them even with the best antenna on the market. If I can't get them with any small dish, I'll probably try a bit harder to get the big dish working again even though it will probably cost me 2 arms and a leg.

Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.

[Msguy]

Where do you live? Many Local Areas in the United States have Local ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates available now on Direc Tv. You wouldn't have to worry about being "grandfathered" of getting the Locals if Direc Tv is carrying locals in your area. If you get Direc Tv's Total Choice Package with Locals your monthly Bill would be around $40 a month.

[Marvin]

I live in Maryland, in the Salisbury area. We only have two local networks available OTA as it stands (CBS/ABC). I've plugged my zip code into both Directv/Dish's websites to check local avail. and they both say no to getting any locals, but I do qualify for FOX/NBC via distant networks.

[boba]

If all you qualify for is Fox and NBC that is all you will get the
Grandfathering under SHVIA (Satellite Home Viewers
Improvement Act I believe) dosen't transfer from "C" band.

[Marvin]

Thanks for the info.

[BobMurdoch]

Careful...... Grandfathering may ONLY include EXISTING customers of E* and D* NOT new ones who had CBand.

[GreyGhost00]

Quoting from the FCC SHVIA FAQ:

grandfathered status only applies to subscribers who are receiving the same distant TV networks, from the same satellite company, using the same transmission technology, at the same location as they were on October 31, 1999 or when they were terminated after July 11, 1998. If grandfathered subscribers change satellite companies, switch to a new type of satellite dish, or move to a new address, they lose their grandfathered status and their eligibility to receive distant signals.

[BobMurdoch]

Or to translate........

FCC: "You've been PUNK'D!"

[moedog]

First time posting here, but I was hoping that someone could answer my question.

I've had a C-Band system for about 10 years and have enjoyed it, but over the last year the box and remote have both had problems and its been hard to find replacements. I have decided that it might be time to switch to Directv (or Dish Network, Im not sure..).

Anyway, I had been getting the 4 distant networks since at least 1996, and I remember when the SHVA thing passed that I was told I was grandfathered in under the law and could continue to recieve the distant networks. Two years ago when I switched C-Band providers, they originally were only going to let me have NBC and FOX, but when I mentioned that I had been grandfathered in under the act to get ABC and CBS, they asked me to fax a receipt from my previous provider showing that I had been getting the Networks and once they got it they authorized the networks for me.

I was wondering if I switch to Directv, would I would still be considered grandfathered in under the act like I was with the C-Band dish? Its kind of a sticking point as to whether or not I'll switch over, since even though I supposedly have Grade A reception of my two local networks (ABC, CBS), I can't get either of them even with the best antenna on the market. If I can't get them with any small dish, I'll probably try a bit harder to get the big dish working again even though it will probably cost me 2 arms and a leg.

Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
Marvin, I can't believe there is anywhere in the Salisbury DMA where you couldn't get excellent reception OTA on CBS16 and ABC47. Both are high powered and on tall towers, the land is flat and no tall buildings. Do you have the tuner on your TV set to "air" or "antenna" rather than "cable?" If it is set on cable, you will not be able to receive UHF channels OTA (and "cable" is the default setting on most TVs nowadays). Also, check to see that the lead in is correct--coxial is best and never coil the cable. Also, use a UHF only antenna---the combo units are not so hot, even on the "best" antenna.

[Marvin]

I dont know what the problem is, but I've tried several different antennas with no luck, and I've even ripped out the cabling that was hooked up to the original antenna and replaced it. The best I can get is sometimes a "double image" on the screen but there is never any audio. Someone suggested to us back when we got the C Band that something was causing interference in the signals and that even the strongest antenna wouldn't be able to pick them up if there was a good deal of interference.

[moedog]

Marvin, you've got a real mystery on your hands. It sounds like you have covered the obvious bases. Do you have a cell-phone tower nearby? They operate on UHF channels and could interfere with TV. Or is there some other type of radio instalation close by? If I was you, I would contact the chief engineer of one of the local TV stations and ask for help. They will have equipment that can detect any interference. If any is uncovered which is causing your problem, they could work with the FCC to see that it is stopped, since it would be illegal to interfere with a locally licenced station (and if no solution can be found they could give you a waiver for the ABC and CBS distants). I am curious, do you get any reception at all on DC stations such as 20, or Baltimore such as 45?

[Marvin]

Hmm. Theres a cell phone tower fairly close to my house (Id say no more than 2,000 feet away at the most..) but that was just installed earlier this year, so that wouldn't account for the bad interference several years ago. If my memory serves me correct, Id say the signal isn't really that much worse than it was when I went through installing all the different antennas back several years ago. I don't know if theres any other structures like cell phone towers or the like around.

I just messed with the setup earlier today, trying some of the things that were mentioned but nothing worked. I'll probably take the advice and call one of the local stations tomorrow and see if they know anything.

[Brett]

Marvin, I can't believe there is anywhere in the Salisbury DMA where you couldn't get excellent reception OTA on CBS16 and ABC47. Both are high powered and on tall towers, the land is flat and no tall buildings. Do you have the tuner on your TV set to "air" or "antenna" rather than "cable?" If it is set on cable, you will not be able to receive UHF channels OTA (and "cable" is the default setting on most TVs nowadays). Also, check to see that the lead in is correct--coxial is best and never coil the cable. Also, use a UHF only antenna---the combo units are not so hot, even on the "best" antenna.

CBS 16 covers parts of Southern NJ too, and with atmospheric activity the station goes all over the Mid Atlantic. 47 comes also but a little weaker. Havent seen 47 lately, though. Didnt 47 get struck by lightning?

Rinky dinky WMGM 40(NBC) in Wildwood, NJ (in Philly DMA) covers a small part of Southern DE (Sussex County) but has a much weaker signal, almost useless.

NBC 10 in Philly (along with WBAL 11(NBC)-Baltimore) though is carried on Sussex County DE Comcast not WMGM. NBC 10 tends to do some DE coverage only does it because they claim two DE counties in its DMA already. Baltimore TV doesnt do any significant DE coverage to my knowledge, and WBAL is likely better for the MD part of the Salisbury DMA.

I would think the NBC Network should try getting a real and local affiliate in that market, or atleast for South and Central DE. Despite Salisbury being a below 100 market, its a growing market (just recently moved to DMA #149 in the 2003-2004 Nielsens). Also NBC would be able to share resources with its owned properties, NBC 10/Philly and NBC 4/DC.