AM-21 Antenna for DirecTV - RV-Dreams Community Forum

K & E · RV-Dreams Family Member

AM-21 Antenna for DirecTV

sdman · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have the AM-21 and have had it for about a year now. Basically is allows you to get the channel guide for the local channels from the zip code where you are located from Direct TV. You can then use your DVR to record these channels. My experience from moving across the country is that it is a little bit of a PITA to have to channel search every time you move but it is great when you are stationary for any amount of time and near major markets with lots of local channels. The AM-21 uses your "bat wing" antenna to get the actual channels and the satellite for the guide info. I have noticed an issue that maybe someone like Bill N. will comment on, but I have had the guide give me less channels than are actually present over the air. I am in South Texas and wanted to watch the supper bowl which is on FOX. I went to the Direct TV guide and no FOX. So I switched the TV to just the regular antenna and got FOX for the game.

Anyway, this a real users view of the device. I would buy again and it was easy to set up.

Mark

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

All said about the AM-21 above is correct, IMO. However, the Direct TV DVR guide will “sometimes” not include a station in the list if there is no actual signal present from a station, or a lot of stations are weak. If the station is not listed in the guide you can’t receive it on the AM-21.

OR if the station, perhaps like the Fox perhaps, is not a “full power station, as defined by the FCC, then it will not be in the guide and not receivable by the AM-21. If a station is not carried by Direct TV as a “local” station on satellite, then it will not be in the guide and therefore not receivable over-the-air by the AM-21.

Here’s generally how this works for those who care to know:

The FCC defines coverage areas for full-power stations. Basically that’s the area of possible reception under FCC engineering predictions - which are not always reality. If a station is what is known as a “low-power” station, or a repeater / translator, then it will not be in the Direct TV guide as it is not, by law, required to be carried as a local station on the satellite.

You may be able to receive a low power station or a translator on your regular TV. Scan and try it and remember to try different directions pointing the bat wing antenna. We’ve had to do that often especially when traveling in mountain areas where low power or translator stations duplicate the main “mother” station’s signal. Lots of these out west and some in the east. Many in small, but distant communities.

Go here for a method of finding those stations.

http://www.rabbitears.info/search.php

You don’t have to fill in all the blanks. But I would set the range to less than 60 miles.

I know this is a big technical, but if you nose around you will be surprised at all the free signals out there and where they are located with the network programming on them.

I do recommend the AM-21 for those with DVR’s especially. It works well and is easy to install. Actually it is plug and play. Has been for me the last 6 I installed. Just read the directions.

I know seems pretty technical, but RVing is a bit technical if your travel.

Hope this helps a little.

Bill

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

K & E wrote: We have a standard definition DVR model #R16-300.

Quick add: I don’t think the AM-21 will work with the receiver you have. I’m not sure it will with that unit as the AM-21 is for HD only as now there are only HD over-the-air TV stations. Sorry. Been that way since 2009. (Well mostly only HD, actually digtial over the air TV since 2009 for a totally accurate statement.)

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 12th of March 2014 09:43:20 AM

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill, I always follow your posts on DTV and the AM 21. We are on LA channels right now (zip code and receiver programming). But two things I can't figure out:
We are using the AM 21 and the Guide lists all the -1, -12 local channels but we ALWAYS GET "satellite not found" messages for the dash (AMm-21) local channels. We thought that might be because we have no antenna reception here but I've seen it in other places too!
The second question is brand new and I know it's happening because DTV likes to haunt me is that on the living room DVR, channel 4 NBC is getting Steve Harvey, while the bdrm TV is getting channel 4 NBC Ellen show at the same time! Neither of us can figure it out. Is there a time setting I should change somewhere? Both controls are set on DTV.

Very confused,
Sherry

K & E · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the replies. From what we've been able to learn, it seems we would need an HD satellite and DVR to use the AM-21 antenna. We've been hesitant to get an HD setup because we've heard from others that it is much more difficult to pull in the signal on the satellite. We'll see how it goes in the future, and may have to get an HD setup at some point if the local channels continues to be an issue.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

K & E wrote:
Thanks for the replies. From what we've been able to learn, it seems we would need an HD satellite and DVR to use the AM-21 antenna. We've been hesitant to get an HD setup because we've heard from others that it is much more difficult to pull in the signal on the satellite. We'll see how it goes in the future, and may have to get an HD setup at some point if the local channels continues to be an issue.

Yes, you need to get an HD dish and DVR to use the AM-21. Yes, it is a bit more difficult to line up the HD but not as hard as you are told. There are systems to do this as Howard has purchased. I would recommend that system as it works for Howard.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:
Bill, I always follow your posts on DTV and the AM 21. We are on LA channels right now (zip code and receiver programming). But two things I can't figure out:
We are using the AM 21 and the Guide lists all the -1, -12 local channels but we ALWAYS GET "satellite not found" messages for the dash (AMm-21) local channels. We thought that might be because we have no antenna reception here but I've seen it in other places too!
The second question is brand new and I know it's happening because DTV likes to haunt me is that on the living room DVR, channel 4 NBC is getting Steve Harvey, while the bdrm TV is getting channel 4 NBC Ellen show at the same time! Neither of us can figure it out. Is there a time setting I should change somewhere? Both controls are set on DTV.

Very confused,
Sherry

Sherry:

I’ll give it a shot but get some coffee. This is kinda technical to try answer your question.

There can be -1, -2, etc. channels, the “sub channels” as they are known, also available on satellite but not receivable at your particular location. If you select them you will get the “satellite not found” / “searching” or some such message. There are some local TV sub-channels on satellite as well as the primary channel. Not all satellite transponders, the real satellite channels that carry TV and cable stations, cover the United States. These are known as “spot beams” and are localized. Sort of like cell towers from space with a much larger coverage but not the entire country. I’m pretty sure that is what you are experiencing. (I have to leave some stuff out or this would be three pages.)

As to receiving two different channel 4’s on the two different TVs: Rescan the TV in the bedroom. It most likely has old or corrupt information (PSIP is the name) from a previous location and that is telling the TV to actually tune in the wrong TV station even though it says “4” on the dial so to speak.

When you change areas you should always do a full, clean re-scan of your TV set to purge all previous channel data (PSIP).

(Down in the weeds –DTV stations are seldom “on” the channel they say. For example, if they say channel 4 on the “dial” they may well be transmitting on channel 39 for example only. But the station tells the TV to say it is on channel 4. Why? Back in the analog days the station was indeed on channel 4. But for the conversion to digital they – almost every TV station actually - had to move to another channel. But because everyone in that area knew them as “Channel 4” we developed a system (PSIP) so they could say they were on their old analog channel number but actually be on a totally different TV channel. Yea, I know this sounds crazy. But trust me; it was crazy for us when we invented it within the bounds of the government – FCC - allowances.)

For any that have read this far it is important to note satellite TV and over-the-air TV were never really designed for people who move around all the time. We are in a very small minority of users. There is only so much bandwidth in the air and it has to be re-used over and over in different locations. Cell phones have a similar issue. However, cell phones were designed from day one to be mobile and they, relatively speaking, use very little bandwidth in comparison to TV signals – like almost nothing in comparison to TV.

Bill

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I need another cup of coffee and possibly a drink!!!😄

Thanks Bill, I think!

Hugs,
Sherry

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

O.K. I think I understand now, by rescan I think you mean hit the reset button(s)? That make sense. And you explained a lot really well.
Another question - here she goes again - before our recent sat install, I had certain programs set to record. After we came back to our same location those programs were set to record but weren't recording? Would just an antenna change make that occur? Then if I go to my ToDo list and delete the second scheduled duplicate program, it deletes both?
You should know that back when I worked our IT contract provider suggested I should be a beta tester for computers and software. As a heavy user I could either make them do things they weren't supposed to or find bugs the experts didn't know existed. This was back in the dark ages of course.

Sherry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:
I think you mean hit the reset button(s)? That make sense.

Actually, no. Re-scan and the red reset button are two different things. I’ll attempt to answer these questions sort of independently and the scheduler issue in another post.

The TV set that receives over-the-air TV directly, via its own tuner, not the AM-21 needs to be re-scaned anytime you move.

All digital TV’s need to “scan” for TV stations and download from the TV station information as to what TV stations are out there, can be received and how to actually tune them in and show a picture.

Any time you physically move locations you should re-scan the television set if you are using it to pickup over the air TV stations. This has nothing to do with satellite.

DVR with AM-21 – When you move to a new location you need to reprogram the AM-21. It’s not unlike re-scaning on the TV but in the case of the AM-21 that receiver gets the information about stations from the satellite. Not directly from the TV station. The red button on the DVR doesn’t do all that needs to be done.

Once you get setup at a new location and the satellite dish is locked on AND the receiver has booted up and is working –

Using the remote control – go to;: MENU –> Settings & Help –> Settings (Select Setting with the yellow “Select” Button) –> Sat & Antenna –> Antenna Setup -> Read the screen for more Information.

Select Reset Settings – It will say press "DASH" ( - ) The “DASH” button is in the lower left hand corner of the remote with a “ – “ symbol and the word DASH on it. Once you have selected “DASH” it will start downloading satellite info. When it is 100% complete select “Continue.”

You will now see a screen with "Initial Setup” highlighted. Select that with the yellow “Select” button. A screen will come up and ask you to enter the Zip Code where you are located. Just use the campground zip code. It will then say “Searching for local market.” This will take a little bit as there are over 200 hundred local markets and who knows how many zip codes to look through in each of those markets. Just wait on it.

Next a screen will come up and offer to select a “Secondary Local.” Use the arrow key and select done. (I’ll explain secondary local some other time if you like. Not important here.)

The DVR will again say “Receiving satellite info . . .” Allow it to complete that process. This download is where the information for the AM-21 off-air tuner will get the information it needs for the TV stations that serve the Zip Code number you put in. Read the screen for information about the program guide, etc. It will be helpful.

When "100% Complete" comes up select "Continue -> Done". Then the Exit button on the remote control to exit from all the menus.

The off-air TV stations should now be in the program guide. They will be light blue with a black background and will have the format of 3-1, 32-3, etc depending on your location. But all off-air will have a -1,-2, etc. behind the channel number. You may see the station also listed without the -2 or -1. It will be in the guide as white letters on a black background. It most likely will not be receivable. Just the over-the-air stations that have the 4-1 format will most likely be receivable.Make sure in the program guide options you have selected "Channels I Get" or "All Channels" or you will not see those local off-air channels in the Program Guide

As I said, this system works great. But it was never intended for the user to do this often like we do in the mobile world. I do it all the time and it’s just like setting up the rig. No big deal once you learn how.

I hope this helps a little. I'm actually trying to answer the question with enough information to give you or anyone else who might be reading this enough information to actually make things work and for you to understand what you are doing. I find it helpful to actually know the reasons behind "just do this" directions.

Bill

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

WestWardHo wrote:

Another question - here she goes again - before our recent sat install, I had certain programs set to record. After we came back to our same location those programs were set to record but weren't recording? Would just an antenna change make that occur? Then if I go to my ToDo list and delete the second scheduled duplicate program, it deletes both?
Sherry

Hate to say it, but this can happen if too many changes are made, like moving, after the auto scheduler thinks it has stuff all set to go and has, in so many words, forgot about that assignment because it has handed the assignment off to the recorder so to speak.

Sometimes, not all the time, you just have to delete the auto record and start over. You don’t want duplicate program entries in the Program Manager list. It confuses the scheduler as it doesn’t know what it has or has not done due to what it is seeing as a “repeat.”

Also remember, once you move and have reset everything the Program Guide takes 24 hours to download most everything upcoming over the next two weeks. Until it gets all that data downloaded it will not know when to record what. It can take well over 24 hours for everything to make it. That’s a lot of data. Always double check and perhaps manually set programs to record IF they are to be recorded very soon after you first turn on the recorder.

Once you use the system a while you will get the hang of how it works. But I always check my “To Do” list to make sure something didn’t get messed up. We’re asking a lot of a system that was not really intended to be turned off for 8 hours, moved, and then set up again in a totally different location many times. IMO, its remarkable it works as well as it does considering all that is being asked of it.

Again, hope this helps a bit. It's a lot easier to show in person than to type up an explanation for this kind of stuff.

Bill