Verifying Satellite tv service during survey

There are some free promotional channels on DTV which I think should work. Actually if you can see the program guide I think that works without a subscription

Or to dish setup and if you see signal in the test it
Means the dish is tracking.

The receiver doesn't matter as not only they are cheap but directv doesn't allow transferring receivers to a new account. You ll have to replace it anyway.

The dish is the expensive part, which you can check thru the signal strength screen

As pascal said, even if the service is off, you'll see direct TV banners validating receiving signals.
If the sat boxes are not there, find the control unit and it will show a fix on the satellites. If you turn it off and on you can hear the dish spin to find a location too.

Good luck, dealing with direct tv is the worst relationship I have with anything around the boat. I can't stand them.

I have learned if you want local channels, you need a local address.
The zip code in your billing address is the local coverage they provide.
AT&T is now running Direct TV, it just got worse.

Whenever we travel to Bahamas I setup a WPB or Stuart address for the receiver so we can receive local S Fl channels. My billing address remains the same.

No whatever you do: DO NOT SETUP A COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT!

When I replaced the replacement of the 7 directtv receivers on the boat I run (directtv doesn't allow to transfer receivers) I was told that since ownership was under an LLC it was would have to be a commercial account. I thought it didn't make a difference .. Wrong!

Commercial accounts don't have online accesss to their accounts, can not stream movies or shows on line and pay ridiculous amount for PPV special events. A couple of months ago some guests wanted to watch a fight on PPV, because we re a commercial account the fee would have been $700 ... needless to say, I didn't order

I should have setup the account under my name... or better just add more receivers to my own accounts

And now to switch to a non commercial account we d have to replace all 7 receivers

And yes non commercial accounts can suspend service for a a month or more

I hate DirectTV

AT&T (new owners) are here to help (at profit) for any inconvenience..

DirecTV receivers are now sold with a Sat receiver or seperately at marine electronics dealers, including West. It used to be that receivers were made by Sony, Panasonic, Hughes, and others. Those are no longer supported by DirecTV. If you bought a current gen DirecTV receiver, it's yours and should be supported. We formerly bought Sat domes, installed them, and then had DirecTV come out and provide receivers and dial in the service. They won't do that, or support a mobile installation, anymore. They will add services to a new or existing fixed base account. Pascal is right in that the best way to get service is to have a home account and add receivers.