When you get local service, Directv delivers rebroadcasts of the over-the-air tv channels from the location Directv has as your SERVICE ADDRESS (we'll come back to this in a little bit). These rebroadcasts are delivered via 'spot beams' with a radius in the range of 100-200 miles, depending on the address.
Thus you won't get your Houston channels if you travel more than ,say, 200 miles away.
But wait!! Congress said that the sat TV providers could deliver the New York or LA channels to RVs or over the road truckers. (Note, the legleslation specifically EXCLUDED boats)
So, for $15 per month, if you can prove it is for an RV, you can get the New York network channels. (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW - not PBS or really locals). This is in additional to their regular programming.
Now to get a little techie... In order to transmit the NY/LA channels everywhere, they have to transmit from the beam that has their regular fare. Usually the 101 sat.
The punchline!!
If you tell Directv that your SERVICE ADDRESS (not your billing address) is in New York City, they will send you the NY network signals... AND, you don't have to buy the $15/month Distance Local Service. Of course, the set you left in Houston will get the NY rather than Houston channels - but you aren't there anyway.
For several years we would move our SA around the country as we moved our boat. Then we discovered the benefits on just using NY NY.
You may want to try it.
It works for us..
elliott bray
NY is OK. But why not get the local channels where you are? I use Dish. RV friendly folks. No hassel to change cities. We usually call them before we leave or enroute. Locals are working when we arrive.
We are on the road this summer. Never in one place more than 3-4 days. The network feeds are the same all over and we can still pick up OTA (usually).