Help ! with TV and phone

[314joey]

OK here's the story, we're looking to start "snowbirding" here after the first of the year, that means 6 months at LOTO (house) and 6 months down here (condo), we're looking to go mobile, so we've went totally paperless in our life so we don't need an address, now we need TV (some kind of cable) and a phone system that is mobile and can be used in both places (house/condo).

And the condo we're buying doesn't provide either of these medias.

We've been looking into a Sprint phone system, it's totally mobile, you can pick it up and plug it in where you are, it's $20/month, we're also looking at a voice over IP and the Magic Jack plus, am I missing any others.

The cable (TV) is going to a PITA, we don't want to get stuck with paying $100-150 bucks/month at both places when we won't be there but for half of the time, this one is a little more difficult, we know we can get some stuff off my computer, but what I know about it there's not that many programs or that good of reception, we know how to handle the internet.

Any help or info will be appreciated, thanks, Jim (aka joey)

[CampbellCarl]

I have one (1) Direct TV account at +/- $100- a month. I've taken one box from home and set it up at the river house (previous owner had Direct so there was a sat dish already there and aimed). Maybe not the best setup but it works for me.

Oh, and while I think of it, do NOT turn off the box when you leave, Direct will deactivate it after its off for a few weeks and you'll have to do the re-boot, call in bullshit.

[HB Vic]

You can reactivate it online. Takes 2 minutes.

This is a good way to do it. Rent on extra receivers is like six bucks. I did this at the river but finally had to get cable because the Internet sucked there. Also had a box for the Moho. But now I just google chrome it :D

[Ziggy]

Ditto on the directv dealio.
I went with VOiP tele. Plug into any internet and you have the same number anywhere...imagine being in say, Europe and call your family like you're across the street. Specifically, I purchased the Ooma system. About a $100 for the box then taxes only(less than $4) a month from then on. Free unlimited calls anywhere in lower 48. Super cheap LD fees, $10 lasts my Canadian snowbirds all winter, plus.
The upfront costs were recovered in just a few months over standard landlines. One of the best things I have done.

[314joey]

We're looking into the Ooma system too, we were wondering how the reception is on it or does it sound like crap.

Do you guys think Direct TV will work using it in Missouri (LOTO) for 6 months and 6 months in SW Florida (1,400 miles apart) or does the two houses have to be close like you guys are using it.

Thanks for your input.

[CampbellCarl]

We're looking into the Ooma system too, we were wondering how the reception is on it or does it sound like crap.

Do you guys think Direct TV will work using it in Missouri (LOTO) for 6 months and 6 months in SW Florida (1,400 miles apart) or does the two houses have to be close like you guys are using it.

Thanks for your input.


The limitaion may be that both homes will get the same (local) stations i.e. if you base in MO, when in FL, you'll get MO local news or vice versa if you base in FL.

[HB Vic]

Yes, you'll probably end up with the local stations of you're home. But I actually liked that.

[Shock 22]

Look at Magic Jack for the low cost to start only $35.00 per year no extra charges phone goes anywhere

[314joey]

Look at Magic Jack for the low cost to start only $35.00 per year no extra charges phone goes anywhere


Does anyone know how the reception is using this type of phone.

We were wanting to have the local channels on the Cable at either house we were at, I guess we'll call the satellite companies and see what they say.

Thanks guys.

[Ziggy]

We're looking into the Ooma system too, we were wondering how the reception is on it or does it sound like crap.

Do you guys think Direct TV will work using it in Missouri (LOTO) for 6 months and 6 months in SW Florida (1,400 miles apart) or does the two houses have to be close like you guys are using it.

Thanks for your input.
You won't know any differnce. Fax works.
When I first checked into it there were 3 or 4 options...magic jack, vonage to name a few. Ooma is the only one that offers a no monthly fee phone service (taxes only) once you've purchased the system.
I have two in my houses in Havasu, both hooked to the basic dsl offered out there. Work without any hickups.
I've put them in my home, dads and M-I-L's.
Like I said, best thing I ever did. Go check out their website.

[Taboma]

The limitaion may be that both homes will get the same (local) stations i.e. if you base in MO, when in FL, you'll get MO local news or vice versa if you base in FL.
That's not corrected as stated Carl ---- Direct TV Local channels are broadcast using a "Spot Beam", standard def uses a wider beam, HiDef a much more narrow beam. So let's say if you subscribe to DTV in Cape Coral Florida, then when you're in FL you'll get your local channels. But when you take a receiver to Mo. you won't receive any local channels because you'll be a very long ways from the spot beam --- Visa Versa if you subscribe using a Mo. address. When I take a receiver from San Diego to Havasu I can receive my San Diego standard def channels day and night, BUT due to the more narrow HiDef spot beam I can only receive it during daylight hours --- I'm right on the edge of the beam. A Spot Beam map later confirmed that. LA however has a much larger diameter spot beam, which reaches Havasu better than the SD beams. The best deal would be to contact DTV and tell them you'll be using it in a motorhome, from what I've read then they set it up so you receive the major networks from either New York or LA anywhere in the country.

[Ricks raft]

With dish you can have one account,(1payment), dish installed at both places. Take dvr back and forth just tell dish where your at and they will turn on locals for that area. Doesn't work we'll for weekenders but for snowbirds staying a while it work well. Previous post is correct most locals are spot beamed appx 150 mile window. And the hopper system is better than DTVs genie. And for no extra fees you can watch any live tv or recordings anywhere with a broadband connection.

[Paul65K]

I was just at my friend house (Snowbird) in Bullhead City which is next to Laughlin, NV for your reference. He spends 5 months a year here and 7 months a year at their primary residence at Table Rock Lake which as you know Jim is in MO.

They have DirecTV and we were just talking about this this morning. Apparently he can turn off the service and move to the other house and get the local channels there and go back and forth between the 2 homes only paying when they are there (wherever that is).

Depending on how good your cell phone reception is at LOTO just use your cell phone there and it can work well as a hot-spot for your computers......if you can get 4G or LTE at LOTO it will be more than fast enough for your needs there for internet or get low cost internet if it's available for your computer and use cell phone for all calls......no need for a land line phone.....at least for us.

I'd recommend you call DirecTV and see if you can work it out.

[314joey]

We talked to Direct TV yesterday, but the guy I got was a know nothing idiot, he wasn't smart enough to comprehend the snowbird model, I'll try again today and hope I get someone whose not mentally challenged....................thanks guys.

I think we've got the phone thing figured out.

[Singleton]

We talked to Direct TV yesterday, but the guy I got was a know nothing idiot, he wasn't smart enough to comprehend the snowbird model, I'll try again today and hope I get someone whose not mentally challenged....................thanks guys.

I think we've got the phone thing figured out.

You have to tell them the physical address and transfer service between the 2 physical addresses. Once you do that you should be OK and if you prove it is your address (utility bill), they will not charge you to transfer.

If I had more time at DirecTV (work at the corporate office) I could help, but my last day is next week (finally got a job in m home city of San Diego).

[Paul65K]

You have to tell them the physical address and transfer service between the 2 physical addresses. Once you do that you should be OK and if you prove it is your address (utility bill), they will not charge you to transfer.

If I had more time at DirecTV (work at the corporate office) I could help, but my last day is next week (finally got a job in m home city of San Diego).
Damn....you gotta learn how to keep a job there dude :lmao

[314joey]

You have to tell them the physical address and transfer service between the 2 physical addresses. Once you do that you should be OK and if you prove it is your address (utility bill), they will not charge you to transfer.

If I had more time at DirecTV (work at the corporate office) I could help, but my last day is next week (finally got a job in m home city of San Diego).


I tried, he was having a hard time understanding why I would want to move every 6 months, I said I'm not moving, we'll own both houses,..................WTF, I told him Dude, it's cold in Missouri in the Winter you knuckelhead.

Thanks for the info, good luck with the new gig.

[Ricks raft]

Any time you can, whether direct or dish, find a local dealer to take care of you. They have to have some knowledge to stay in business for very long( we've been in business 45 yrs doing satellite for 38 yrs. dish has like 8000 customer support operators so like direct, getting someone with knowledge is very hit and miss. Dish absolutely has a plan to transfer service back and forth between 2 addresses. And again hopper system is much better than dtv genie.

[Singleton]

Damn....you gotta learn how to keep a job there dude :lmao

Hey, be nice :)
I got offered a position that I could not say no to (I am moving to a larger company, get paid more and I work from home and get a bonus if I travel more than 7 business days in a 21 day period), so I decided not to wait until the DTV acquisition by AT&T is closed and severs me out.

Now, if I could only get the wife to change her mind on this stupid RV idea :badidea:

[Singleton]

I tried, he was having a hard time understanding why I would want to move every 6 months, I said I'm not moving, we'll own both houses,..................WTF, I told him Dude, it's cold in Missouri in the Winter you knuckelhead.

Thanks for the info, good luck with the new gig.

Call and ask for a supervisor and get transferred, dont waste yoru time with the person that answers first. The CS reps are hit and miss, but the supervisors usually know what to do.

[314joey]

Call and ask for a supervisor and get transferred, dont waste yoru time with the person that answers first. The CS reps are hit and miss, but the supervisors usually know what to do.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll give it a try.

[Ziggy]

Now, if I could only get the wife to change her mind on this stupid RV idea :badidea:

When the wife decides something like this it ain't changing so easily......just be glad it wasn't flowered cloth couches and seafoam green carpet :D:D

[2manymustangs]

I tried, he was having a hard time understanding why I would want to move every 6 months, I said I'm not moving, we'll own both houses,..................WTF, I told him Dude, it's cold in Missouri in the Winter you knuckelhead.

Thanks for the info, good luck with the new gig.

:LMAOsmiley: I think I had his brother two days ago when I called AT&T and talked to a CSR in Knoxville Tenn... Where do they get these people??? :biggrin:

[Paul65K]

Hey, be nice :)
I got offered a position that I could not say no to (I am moving to a larger company, get paid more and I work from home and get a bonus if I travel more than 7 business days in a 21 day period), so I decided not to wait until the DTV acquisition by AT&T is closed and severs me out.

Now, if I could only get the wife to change her mind on this stupid RV idea :badidea:
Happy wife....Happy life :D

[Singleton]

Happy wife....Happy life :D

That is why I took the new job. This RV thing has me at a loss. It was her way to get me to stop pushing a Havasu house and it worked. Now I am pushing toy hauler over RV and she is warming up to that :)