Travel and watch your local TV news stations??

SSmbs · 03-18-2013, 04:23 PM

We have returned from our first retirement trip down south. We miss watching our local TV stations to stay up on things. I thought satelite was the answer but found out that the providers only give you news stations from the area you are parked in. Any solution?

TURBS · 03-18-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssyrett

We have returned from our first retirement trip down south. We miss watching our local TV stations to stay up on things. I thought satelite was the answer but found out that the providers only give you news stations from the area you are parked in. Any solution?

if your not home and on vacation to get away from home why would you want to see what's going on at home ?

No way that I know of to do what u ask.
We get about 80 miles or so from home and loose locals

Turbs

NO3putt · 03-18-2013, 04:46 PM

Many TV Stations now have their news online so you might try the internet.

TURBS · 03-18-2013, 04:47 PM

or smart phones ......

SSmbs · 03-18-2013, 04:49 PM

We don't even watch TV on our local trips but when we live in our RV for a couple of months we miss the local connection.

Wiscampsin · 03-18-2013, 08:33 PM

IMHO 95% of local news isn't worth watching. It's usually about all the bad stuff that happened.

Broadway Joe · 03-18-2013, 08:48 PM

The signal cone sent for local stations is very narrow, thus if you get 80-100 miles away you loose locals.
HTH

Vinster30 · 03-18-2013, 08:56 PM

This is the FCC that placed the "spot beam" on local channels several years ago. If you want network channels, there are ways around the problem, however, they are a pain. Like everyone states, about 100 miles and your home town locals are gone.

SSmbs · 03-18-2013, 09:49 PM

I don't understand the restrictions on Satelite providers. My daughter lives 5 miles from me but in a different county and she receives local stations from a different market. Direct TV told her that she did not have a choice.

Sirsea · 03-18-2013, 10:30 PM

We just ordered a Dish Tailgater package (Amazon $449) and "pay as you go" programming, you can get 60 channels for $39 month-to-month. You can add "local channels" (CBS-NBC-ABC-Fox) broadcast from NY or San Francisco for about $10/mo.

TURBS · 03-18-2013, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirsea

We just ordered a Dish Tailgater package (Amazon $449) and "pay as you go" programming, you can get 60 channels for $39 month-to-month. You can add "local channels" (CBS-NBC-ABC-Fox) broadcast from NY or San Francisco for about $10/mo.

But u can only get your home locals for about 100 miles or so.

You can't live in cali and get cali locals in Indiana.

TURBS · 03-18-2013, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssyrett

I don't understand the restrictions on Satelite providers. My daughter lives 5 miles from me but in a different county and she receives local stations from a different market. Direct TV told her that she did not have a choice.

I live closer to the local channels I prefer but instead get local channels that are farther away.

JLeising · 03-18-2013, 11:29 PM

With Slingbox and an Internet connection you can connect to your home cable or sat box and watch on cell phone, tablet or computer. There may be other similar workarounds.

TURBS · 03-19-2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLeising

With Slingbox and an Internet connection you can connect to your home cable or sat box and watch on cell phone, tablet or computer. There may be other similar workarounds.

There u go..
I phorgot about sling as I don't have it yet.

Turbs

SSmbs · 03-20-2013, 12:00 PM

Looks like Slingbox has units for $180 and $300. I believe the more expensive one uses wifi in your house to connect your TV signal to the internet where it then streams the signal to your laptop/tablet/etc. For this to work you would need a decent internet connection where you are at.

jthomp58 · 03-20-2013, 12:16 PM

If you have a computer and internet service, just pull up the station you want. Many of them also have apps for i-pad, etc.

jriddering · 03-20-2013, 12:23 PM

On your Dish account, do you pay now for your "local Channels"? If so, how do they know if you moved your receiver to another place? I thought they determined what is local by your zip code. I have not set up Dish yet in camper but may this summer. Post what you finally come up with.

JLeising · 03-20-2013, 12:27 PM

I have the Slingbox Solo ($111 from Amazon - Amazon.com: Sling Media Slingbox SOLO (SB260-100): Electronics). Not hi-def, but fine for phone / tablet size display and my older eyes. It sends my cable box signal over the internet. Lets me access cable's remote control functions from tablet / laptop. Works okay with 3G level connection. Had some setup (stability) issues - resolved from hints from others found via Google search. Now seems stable and good. Lets us watch Monday Night Football while camping!

JLeising · 03-20-2013, 12:29 PM

Should have also mentioned - portable devices (tablets, smart phones) also require a Slingbox App to work - about $30 extra, as I remember.

TURBS · 03-20-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jriddering

On your Dish account, do you pay now for your "local Channels"? If so, how do they know if you moved your receiver to another place? I thought they determined what is local by your zip code. I have not set up Dish yet in camper but may this summer. Post what you finally come up with.

The spot beam that sends the local channels in your given area is very narrow .
120 mile radius-ish

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