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DISH Local Channels Guide What are local channels? Local channels are typically networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and PBS. These stations broadcast local news, weather and other special local programming. Why can I not receive my local channels when traveling? DISH broadcasts your local channels using a "spot beam" that covers only a small area. When traveling outside of your local area you travel outside of that spot beam and are no longer able to receive your local channels like you would at home. Your home may be located in the middle of a spot beam where you can travel 100 miles and still have your local channels, or you could be located on the edge of a spot beam and lose your local channels when only traveling a few miles away from home. How can I receive local channels while traveling outside of my home spot beam? You have two options for receiving local channels while traveling outside of your home spot beam. First, you can sign up for DISH distant network services (DNS) to receive local channel feeds from New York or Los Angeles. The second option is to use a overthe-air (OTA) antenna such as the Winegard Sensar to pick up free local channels in your current location. How do I sign-up for DISH Distant Network Services? DISH distant network services cost an additional $5 per month. To subscribe to DISH distant network services you must fill out a DISH RV declaration form. After distant local channels are added to your account, your “home” local channels will be removed. This change is account wide so if you also use DISH at your residence you will no longer receive your home local channels there as well. How do I receive free local channels using my OTA antenna? If you would like to receive free local channels from your current location, you can use an OTA antenna. With an OTA antenna such as the Winegard Sensar, you can receive local channels when stationary without having to pay for programming. The Sensar IV antenna with integrated Wingman receives VHF and UHF signals and has a range of up to 55 miles. To operate the Sensar antenna, you simply crank a handle to raise the antenna, rotate the antenna to find the strongest signal, and run a channel scan on your television. To make the search for the strongest signal even easier, you can use the Winegard SensarPro, a wall plate TV signal strength meter. The SensarPro displays the signal strength for each real channel. If you are searching for a particular channel, you can simply pause to check the readout on the SensarPro as you rotate the Sensar antenna. Still have questions? Call Winegard at 866-609-9374.
