If you’re out on a luxury yacht, you’re going to want the best of everything. If you’re in an RV, you’re going to want to watch the TV channels you know from home. There’s only one problem with that: in most cases, you can’t.
You see, you can’t get local channels from 500 miles away, even if you subscribe to satellite TV. Most local channels on satellite systems are broadcast on “spot beams,” meaning that they’re only available to a small part of the country. National satellite broadcasts cover the entire country but the local channels that serve cities and towns all across the country are only available where they’re needed.
(We talked a little more about spot beams back in 2021, if you’re curious.)
The uncomfortable truth
It doesn’t matter if you get special permission from DIRECTV or DISH, it doesn’t matter if you bring the equipment from another part of the country, you’re not going to get Seattle locals if you’re in Tallahassee. In the past, there was a waiver process that let people get New York or Los Angeles locals anywhere in the country and even on the water. Unfortunately that process is a lot harder than it used to be. In fact it’s almost impossible. Most folks are aware that they’ll only get local channels in their local areas But the real question is, how far will a spot beam travel?
The answer: it kind of depends.
Spot beams are aimed very precisely. Some of them are bigger and some smaller, but they are almost never a perfect circle. Take a look at one of the larger spot beams. It’s centered on New York City but serves most of New York City, New Jersey, and New England.
The area inside the white circle is where the spot beam is strongest, and where it’s intended to be used. That covers an area that includes New York, Boston, Providence, even much of New Jersey. Not all spot beams are so strong.
The other circles show the power levels getting weaker. Beyond the yellow circle, you’ll probably need a special dish, and beyond the red circle you won’t get anything. The outer pink circle is the areas that might, sometimes get signal, so no other spot beam can use the same frequencies ifit’s aimed there.
A very general guideline
In general it’s fair to say that if you are within 100 miles of the center of a spotbeam you will get good reception. Within 250 miles you might need a satellite amplifier and within 400 miles, nothing. But that’s really general. Look at that spot beam above — its oval shape means Boston makes it into the beam but Harrisburg PA, which is 50 miles closer does not. So you see it really varies.
There are some excellent online resources for spotbeam maps. This one from iamanedgecutter.com uses Google Earth (it was used for the image above.) However, they’re hard to use, so if you have a question about what spotbeams cover what areas, don’t fret. You have a friend in the business.
The experts at Signal Connect have done more satellite activations for RVs and boats than anyone in the world. We know the ins and outs of the process. We know what you’ll likely be able to get and what you won’t. And, we have ways of working within the system to make sure you’re getting the best possible service. We’re DIRECTV and DISH dealers, and we’ve been supporting the marine and RV communities for over 20 years.
Call the experts at 888-233-7563. We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below! We’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.
