KVH Bahamas Question

[Bugsy]

Last year on a sojourn to the Exumas, I received my Miami local channels in Nassau. This time, we're planning on the Abacos. I am thinking I should perhaps change my "location" to West Palm instead of Miami to enhance the likelihood of receiving DirectTv locals.
Does anybody have any knowledge/ experience on this subject?
Thanks for input.

 

[PeterK]

I have an M7. Abacos were fine. South Exumas were fine for higher channels but we lost network/locals at 7 or 8 every night. I you might get network channels off an antenna in a good chunk of the Abacos.

 

[Bugsy]

Sorry, Peter but what was your "service address" with DirectTv? Presuming DirectTv has you at your " hailing port"....what is that?
And.....did you retain the same address when you were in the Abacos and again when you were in the Exumas?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Dan Mapes]

We used Miami in the Abacos and it was ok. However, we changed to NYC again so we could watch the Giants. This only provided the major networks leaving us without PBS and etc..

 

[Fanfare]

In the past if Directv learned you were in the Bahamas (or any other foreign country) they immediately shut down your signal. Something about the International Telecommunications Act which gives each country control over its own airwaves. Since everybody in the Bahamas has satellite TV there must be some sort of accommodation.

I used to be able to get my local St. Louis stations all around the US. Then I believe they started spot broadcasting. I asked Directv if I could at least get the East and West national feeds. This could only be done if every one of my local TV stations signed a waiver which most denied. This said to be sure I shopped their local advertisers, even though I was out of town.

Apparently RVs can get these national feeds but you have to submit a copy of your vehicle registration with your application. Boats are not eligible. So no CBS, NBC, public TV.

 

[PeterK]

Sorry, Peter but what was your "service address" with DirectTv? Presuming DirectTv has you at your " hailing port"....what is that?
And.....did you retain the same address when you were in the Abacos and again when you were in the Exumas?

Thanks for your input.

We are set up for Stuart so WPB are our locls stations. Did not change anything when we were in the Bahamas. Were there about six months.

BT we have never hooked our box up to the internet despite constant requests to do so. Effectively, Direct has no idea where we are : )

 

[Dan Mapes]

+1 we never had the box hooked up to the internet. I was on the phone with them a number of times over the years. Particularly when the Giants were hot in the NFL. Instead of using the Florida zip code I changed to our old zip code in NYS. I have been on the support line via skype to the U.S. a number of times changing installation addresses.

It worked like a charm. I indicated that we were fine and that we had great signal strength in the Bahamas and the rep was impressed.
Your mileage may vary.

 

[dottieshusband]

Good luck getting DirectV to do anything with your local channels..on a boat. It's illegal for them to do so. My KVH system was installed in Miami, I'm in Tennessee now..and can't get local channels despite trying valiantly..next time..tell the installer it's on an RV...good luck.

 

[Dan Mapes]

Telling them you are a snow bird could work also.

 

[captainwjm]

This isn't a KVH issue, it's a DIRECTV issue. The local network channels are regulated by the FCC and are exclusive to market areas where the signal is transmitted by the network affiliates. With DIRECTV the easy fix is to just physically change the address on the account [not the billing address] to the address where you are located, and once that has been completed the local market network channels would drop into your line-up, and be replaced with the channels that are assigned to the new address.

AT&T/DIRECTV requires the account holder physically change the address. Your account should be established as a “Residential Mobile” account. Call to DIRECTV at 800-531-5000, enter your account number, and when prompted to simply say “change my address”. The automated system will then read back your current address and when prompted if this is correct, you respond “no”. It will then send you to a representative to change the physical address on the account. Just remember to tell the representative that you are using a mobile tracking dish.

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks for the various replies. As usual, I tended to " short form" the inquiry which as a result, generates a wide range of responses.
Part of the issue relates to the particular satellite on which local channels are carried. For example, Miami locals are on satellite 101 whereas Ft.Myers locals are on 119. I am using 101 and do not have a multi switch. In would have to manually configure my KVH to 119.
And so.....I wanted to know 1) whether Palm Beach locals were on 101 or 119 and 2) whether that spot beam had a range that included the Abacos or whether Miami had greater range. As stated, I had Miami as a service address and received my locals in Nassau.
I've had KVH and Directv for many years and take my receiver back and forth to my "fixed abode" almost every month. All I ever do is call and ask that they change my service location.
I have now changed my Florida service address to Stuart from Miami. I have confirmed that the West Palm locals are on satellite 101.