Just realized only half of what I wrote actually posted.  It's all there now. 

Racerguy, that's why I titled the thread "DirecTV & Distant Network Services". 

But, since you opened that can of worms ....

DISH has been banned from offering Distant Network Services by a court injunction since 2006, but RVers have been able to get DNS for DISH through a third party - MyDistantNetworks.com.  However, the new law passed in May - The Satellite Television And Localism Act of 2010 (STELA) - allows DISH to get back into the DNS game and in September 2010, they met the requirements to do that.  We'll have to see how that affects those using MyDistantNetworks.

STELA is the reason being used by DirecTV to mess with the Distant Network Services, so my guess is the same issues will apply to MyDistantNetworks and DISH at some point.

Somebody's always gotta be messin' with somethin'. 

Yep, we lost all DNS channels yesterday afternoon. I called DirecTV but it was late and they said the DNS department had gone home and asked me to call back today. This morning I checked the guide before calling DirecTV and we now have both east and west SD and HD DNS service.

FWIW, we received the card and mailed it back stating that we wanted both east and west DNS service. I'm guessing they shut everybody off last night before they assigned the new network package.

We had been with DISH for 14 years and were experiencing problems with our receiver BUT they said it was our KVH dome antennae. They even insisted it was the antennae when we borrowed our neighbor's free standing antennae and still had the same problem. Anyway,since it wasn't our first bad encounter, we decided to leave DISH and sign up with DirecTV in August 2010.
Prior to signing with DirecTV, we wanted to make sure we would still get both East & West Distant Networks as we have been RV fulltimers since 2002. We were promised and assured; we submitted via FAX our Vehicle Registration, along with the DirecTV waiver. 
It took a few days to get the East Coast feed (because of our Credit Card billing address location).
It was a nightmare for a few weeks! Finally in late Sept they were able to turn on West.
We received the PostCard in October, checked YES that we'd pay the $20/month for Dual-Coast Distant Network Services and mailed it in a few weeks ago. We did make a scanned copy of the postcard- the part we mailed did NOT have any of our Info- there was a very small encrypted mark; I can only guess it contained our account number....
Tuesday, Nov 23 we used the DVR and recorded a west coast program.
On Wed, we noticed West Channels were not available- gone from our program guide!
Friday, we called: DirecTV / RV Customer Service at 800-769-4635 and then Distant Network Eligibility at 800-263-0028.
We were told, TOO BAD, you had to be a DirecTV customer before May 2010 in order to qualify for dual Coast Network Feeds!
Dual Feeds are no longer available for New DirecTV customers. 
The Supervisor then explained that their contracts are NOT for specific Programming or Pricing and either can change at any time.   Doesn't matter someone promised us! Doesn't matter it took a few months to catch up to us. They have to comply with the FCC rules and regulations.

Dan, I am seeing more and more people that were "grandfathered" in on the east/west coast feeds are getting both SD AND HD for both coasts.  We only have SD, but I would think the HD customers are pretty happy with that even with the increased price.


Karen, since this thread is fairly narrow with regard to Distant Network Service, I would post your questions under a new Topic.  For what it is worth, DNS is a way to get broadcast networks, but not the only way. 

Jim & Pat, I can certainly understand your frustration.  I went back and read some of the law, STELA, which was passed in May.  It clearly "grandfathers" customers that had DNS "at the time of the law's enactment" which was May 2010.

It doesn't specifically state that "grandfathering" applies ONLY to those that were DirecTV customers at that time, but that's clearly how DirecTV is interpreting it.  However, because they sent you a postcard giving you the option of dual coast feeds, I certainly wouldn't go down without a fight.  I would try sending them a copy of your waiver with DISH if you have it.

I can't find anything in the new law that refers to RVers or mobile satellite TV users.  It only references "unserved households" and talks about signal tests that only apply to stationary customers.  There is no question in my mind that DirecTV is doing their own interpretation of how the law applies to mobile customers.  Obviously, that's good for some of us and not so good for others.

Ok - Im gonna ask a "dumb" question - why would you want both west & east coast feeds? Isnt one of them good enuf? I am getting ready for full time - 2wks to go! - and have purchased a wingard SK-1000. I was thinking about DISH service, now I'm getting the feeling that might not have been the right choice...just want HD and to be able to to record 2 channels at once. Didnt know anything about a form for full time use...wasnt mentioned by company where I picked up receivers from.

Pamela, I forgot to mention: with the recent FCC ruling if you do not already have E&W Distant Networks you probably will only be able to receive one; either NY or LA. This will be determined by the billing address you use on the credit card you have with DISH or DirecTV. Unfortunately, many companies do not understand RVers; even DISH and DirecTV employees/Tech Support don't understand... and are completely lost when we have mentioned being RV and Fulltimers! This naturally leads to many frustrations.
I'm not familiar with your antennae- but it would have to be capable of receiving HD. DISH & DirecTV both offer HD and ability to record 2 channels at once.
There are other factors involved in RVing with having DISH or DirecTV. No longer are you allowed to take your reciever from your home/residence and put it into your RV without having to pay extra. I'm not familiar with the details of that- however, I've heard other Rvers say they are supposed to pay for an additional programming subscription; but that is if you will maintain a home along with having an RV.
I understand DISH will soon be allowed to offer Distant Networks again; if they aren't already. They had a "sister" company when DISH lost the abillity when they got in trouble with the FCC a few years ago. The sister company (All American Direct, now known as Sobongo) provided Distant Networks for DISH Customers with a subscription.

Oh, by the way, I remember being told by a teacher: the only dumb question: is the one NOT asked!
Hope I've helped and not added to your confusion.

All -

Think I got it now...I've never had DISH at home - ATT has been my provider and I am TOTALLY spoiled with being able to to record 4 channels at once! That is why I went with DISH with HD and 2 DVRs - can record 2 channels with the winegard SK-1000 satellite and still watch a recorded show. Not as good as 4 but better than 1! The DISH provider knows its going into an RV and they didnt mention any waiver - I will make sure to ask again. Since I am in CA with a PO box here I would assume that I would get the West Coast channels but I guess if I use a S. Dakota address (my son's) I could get east coast - decisions, decisions...