[sperho]

The title should have read: Which satellites...

I live in Kingsport, TN 37664 (Sullivan Co.) and I've asked Directv twice, a mastec technician, and a local installer for which satellites I need to have an LOS. I have received 4 different answer combinations. I believe it's 3 of these 99, 101, 103, 110, or 119. Is there anywhere I can ask where I can get an unequivocal answer to this question? (Hopefully here. ) I understand that as of very recently, my market is going to be getting HD locals on 99, so that's about the only one I'm fairly sure of. I think I have good LOS on all but 119, if that helps answer the question. Thanks.

 

[harsh]

Tri-Cities SD LIL currently come from 72.5W by way of a second dish.

WJHL (CBS), FSN South and SportsSouth are currently available in HD. These were launched on September 17th in your market.

 

[sperho]

I wasn't clear in my first post, I'd like locals (HD or SD) and the Choice Extra Plus HD DVR package and I'd like to know all the satellites at which to point for this package. Thanks for the info on the locals.

 

[Johnnie5000]

I wasn't clear in my first post, I'd like locals (HD or SD) and the Choice Extra Plus HD DVR package and I'd like to know all the satellites at which to point for this package. Thanks for the info on the locals.

Call DTV, get a work order for an install built, have the tech who comes out figure it out for you.

 

[harsh]

I wasn't clear in my first post, I'd like locals (HD or SD) and the Choice Extra Plus HD DVR package and I'd like to know all the satellites at which to point for this package. Thanks for the info on the locals.

You'll need one dish pointing at 72.5W for your SD LIL as I stated clearly above. Depending on whether or not you qualify, you'll get either the Slimline 5 which requires all five of 99W, 101W, 103W, 110W and 119W or possibly a Slimline 3 which requires 99W, 101W and 103W.

It is my understanding that the Slimline 3 is not being deployed in your area at this time so you would get a Slimline 5 from DIRECTV. If you can't get one of the Western birds, they would likely abort the upgrade.

The other option seems to be fitting a Slimline 5 with the LNB that comes on the Slimline 3 on your own dime, but I'm not sure they would install it for you.

If I were you, I would suggest waiting until they move your SD LIL to a different bird and see how everything stacks up. It is possible that you'll be able to get away with an SL3 configuration or it is also possible that they'll just tell you no dice if they move your SD LIL to 110W or 119W.

In any event, don't assume that you'll be blocked. Let them figure it out.

 

[sperho]

possibly a Slimline 3 which requires 99W, 101W and 103W.

The other option seems to be fitting a Slimline 5 with the LNB that comes on the Slimline 3 on your own dime, but I'm not sure they would install it for you.

This is what they specified in essence; a 3 LNB-equipped Slimline dish exactly as you described. So, it looks like I'll be OK as I have good LOS for those 3 satellites. Thanks!

 

[sperho]

Call DTV, get a work order for an install built, have the tech who comes out figure it out for you.

I actually did this and he stated 99, 101, and 103 (which contradicted my other information, so it left me with a little uncertainty). The only LOS that was good is from my front yard or my roof and he didn't have an acceptable plan for a roof installation and I didn't want the dish in my front yard. I let him go without any installation performed and I'll reschedule it after I buy a Commdeck for a suitable roof installation.

 

[harsh]

This is what they specified in essence; a 3 LNB-equipped Slimline dish exactly as you described. So, it looks like I'll be OK as I have good LOS for those 3 satellites. Thanks!

Do not overlook the second dish for 72.5W.

 

[sperho]

Do not overlook the second dish for 72.5W.

I was told by the installer that a 2nd dish is no longer needed in my area as of a few days ago; locals should be available now in HD on 99.

 

[jimisham]

I was told by the installer that a 2nd dish is no longer needed in my area as of a few days ago; locals should be available now in HD on 99.

Go to the Directv web site. Click on Packages. Click on Locals. Enter your zip code and Sullivan County.
According to that, there's one HD station on Directv. Channel 11, WJHL.
http://directv.com/DTVAPP/index.jsp

 

[harsh]

I was told by the installer that a 2nd dish is no longer needed in my area as of a few days ago; locals should be available now in HD on 99.

To add to jimisham's observation, you likely won't get 100% coverage of your locals in HD. Among the channels missing will likely be any PBS channels and any channels not available in HD. Your market is one of a very few that were turned up with only a single station participating.

 

[sperho]

Time will tell. According to Directv folks, the websites are not always up to date in all areas.

 

[carl6]

If your SD locals come from 72.5, that will change in the near future (probably moving to either 99 or 103). If that is the case, your long term answer is you will need three satellites: 99, 101, 103. If you want the Spanish Language package you will also need 119.

If your SD locals were on 72.5 and in fact recently moved, then you should only need 99, 101 and 103.

As harsh noted, you probably do want to make sure you get both SD and HD, as you may not get all of your locals in HD (and you may get them all).

Carl

 

[sperho]

Time has told. http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1815819&postcount=34 (Locals that used to be on 72.5 are now on 99W.)