[michael goldman]

I read all the time about the requirement that someone refused a waiver by their local affiliate station, can request and get a signal strength test to appeal the waiver refusal.


However I have not heard of anyone actually gettingt the test performed either by D or their local station, let alone getting the waiver overturned.


Has anyone actually had such a test performed under the law, or is that provision somewhat similiar to getting to see Major Major in Catch-22, you can go in to see him, but only when he is not there!


Thanks in advance

 

[SonomaSearcher]

Foxeng has posted that he has performed signal reception tests, although I don't know if they were specifically because of a satellite waiver refusal.

 

[michael goldman]

Well, since this is the group that would know if any waivers have been overturned by reception tests, and know one can cite an example, I must assume the whole reeception test issue is simply a smokescreen written into the law.

I have seen numerous threads were the option of getting a reception test was put forth, it seems such an option is mere pie in the sky

 

[herdfan]

It is not a smolescreen written into the law. We have a house on a lake in Virginia and have had D* since 1995. We got the DNS since back then all you had to do was ask. But the house next to use got D* around 2000 and wanted network programming. D* said no, but the neighbor asked for, and got, a signal test. The test failed and he got the DNS. He, against my advice, gave it up when Roanoke got locals last year.


So yes it is possible. If you really can't get signal, send a letter to the affiliates asking for the waiver letting them know if the waiver is denied, you will be asking for a signal test. If the affiliates lose, they pay for the test, so you might get a waiver by asking nicely.

 

[carl033]

Quote:

Originally posted by herdfan It is not a smolescreen written into the law. We have a house on a lake in Virginia and have had D* since 1995. We got the DNS since back then all you had to do was ask. But the house next to use got D* around 2000 and wanted network programming. D* said no, but the neighbor asked for, and got, a signal test. The test failed and he got the DNS. He, against my advice, gave it up when Roanoke got locals last year. So yes it is possible. If you really can't get signal, send a letter to the affiliates asking for the waiver letting them know if the waiver is denied, you will be asking for a signal test. If the affiliates lose, they pay for the test, so you might get a waiver by asking nicely.

I agree that it was a bad idea for your neighbor to give up DNS. I've also had it since 1995 and love it! There is a rumor around that at the end of the year, D* plans to shut off DNS to those who no longer qualify because locals are now available in their area. I sincerely hope this is just a rumor.

 

[Jim Golden]

I protested my denial of a waiver. The local broadcasting company called me and asked me my address, because they were going to come and measure my signal strength. When I told the guy where I live (at the base of a mountain) he agreed that they had trouble broadcasting in my area.


I don't know if the guy actually measured (or not) but I did get my waiver.


Jim

 

[PMA]

Jim,


When you say that you protested your waiver denial, please describe the process you used. Did you go back through D* or directly to the station? I am in the same situation and would like to pursue this.


Thanks,


Paul

 

[Jim Golden]

I already had east/ west coast locals and I was notified by D* that if I didn't get the needed waivers I would be disconnected from my east/ west coast channels. D*, at the time, tasked the consumer with aquiring the waiver.


It's been a couple of years, but here's how I remember it. I requested a waiver from my local CBS affiliate. They in turn sent me a letter denying my waiver based on the premise that they felt I was receiving an appropriate signal.


I wrote them back and informed them that despite buying/ trying numerous antennaes I still was not getting a "watchable" signal. I believe I had the only antennae in the neiborhood at the time, so I also invited they to come and see for themselves.


I was not rude, but I was direct. I truely believed I had gone above and beyond expectations to try and get a watchable picture from my local service providers.


Today, the same station is broadcasting a digital signal and even it is unwatchable. I don't believe my local broadcasters even care about signal/ picture quality.


Believe it or not, just by writing about the experience today, I'm getting p*ssed off all over again! I actually had one company that provided no response at all, but had D* disconnect the channel. I had to go through the Better Business Bureau, because they wouldn't respond to my letters or phone calls. What can you do if a company won't even respond? Well, once I contacted the BBB I finally got my response....the waiver!


Jim

 

[hiker]

I'm beginning to think the D* signal strength test process is a joke. I applied for the test several weeks ago and nothing. As stated here , the SHVIA requires that the test be performed no more than 30 days after the subscriber submits the request to the satellite provider. I've written to D* several times and this is their response:
Quote:

Thanks for writing. After you sent paperwork, you will receive a Signal Strength Letter and a Test Request form explaining the next steps. Update letters will be sent by mail within 45-90 days, after form is received, you will be notified of the status of your request. If it's been more than 90 days and you do not receive an update letter, you can write to the address listed on your request form. (DNS Signal Test, PO Box 92600, Los Angeles, CA 90009.) Sincerely, Gurdeep DIRECTV Customer Service

 

[Keenan]

hiker, that's unacceptable, if the SHVIA document says 30 days, and I believe it does, it should default to your request, pretty sure that's how it reads. I would send them the specific info from the document and also send copies of the D* correspondence to the FCC. I will have to re-read the SHVIA paper, but I'm almost certain it says if no test is completed within 30 days the waiver is automatically granted.


Jim

 

[nospam_online]

It's easier to just "move" to a location where locals are offered. Do a search in the tivo forums for more details.

 

[dgordo]

Quote:

Originally posted by hiker I'm beginning to think the D* signal strength test process is a joke. I applied for the test several weeks ago and nothing. As stated here , the SHVIA requires that the test be performed no more than 30 days after the subscriber submits the request to the satellite provider. I've written to D* several times and this is their response:

You should file a complaint with the FCC, that worked for a friend of mine.