Using DirecTV while camping

This is a public forum fulll of other customers. While DIRECTV doesn’t directly advertise it or show it as an option, it IS possible. You just need to bring a receiver with you from your current residence with DIRECTV service as well as purchase a SWM HD DIRECTV dish on a tripod with the necessary coaxial cable as well as 21V/29V power inserter. The receiver you bring from home MUST be an HD-capable receiver. You cannot bring a Genie client as those require the main Genie receiver in order to work properly. If you happen to have an HS17 receiver, then you are out of luck as far as taking one independent HD receiver like an H24 or H25 ( or an HDDVR like an HR24) as HS17 receivers forbid any standalone boxes to be activated.

As far as supplies, you should bring along a 1/2 inch wrench to aim a dish if you decide to purchase an HD slimline DIRECTV SWM dish on a tripod (2 inch tripod pole). IF you don’t want to deal with the hassle of aiming you may choose a self-aiming dish known as the Winegard Trav’ler, although it is a little expensive. 

Just be aware that technically using one of your satellite receivers at a location other than your service address is a violation of the terms of service. Now there is no way for Directv to detect where your receiver is, just be aware. You also won’t get your local channels if your camping location is outside of the spot beam for your locals. If you have reliable internet service at your camping location, another option is to use the Direct app on a streaming device. You will be able to get most channels in your package but not all and using the app outside your home is not a violation of anything.

Ok I'm going to say what every one else is afraid to say. Or else maybe they just don't know. Granted that maybe most people aren't interested in doing what I do when I go camping. And I've been a customer of DirecTV for 25 years, I've been with them since they bought out Primestar. For many years now I've been taking my receiver camping with me. Forget about a tripod dish or whatever, I have no interest in hooking up to see live tv. I simply record as much stuff as possible including TV shows and movies and I watch my list. Don't let anyone tell you you're doing anything wrong when you do that, I've spoke with people higher up in DirecTV and they assure me that you're not doing anything wrong. I'm a long time DirecTV customer and I'm paying for service. For years I used my hr44 and would take it camping, then in 2019 there was a system update that prevented you from viewing the list when it wasn't connected to service, however you still had the list for 24 hours. After that I started using my other receiver which is an HR24 because it was too old to receive the system update and I've been watching unlimited list recordings since then. However just within the last few days from experimenting I found out that the hr44s changed back to the way they used to be. As of right now you can view your list anywhere without being connected to service. I can only speak for these two receiver models, I've never taken any other types camping. But all you have to do to test it is to disconnect your receiver coaxial cable from service and use only the HDMI cord to your television and a power cord to the wall. This will let you know if you can watch your list. And naturally you have to wait until it's been several minutes trying to find a signal and then it will get to the 775 message. From there you should be able to go to your list.

Yes, they continue to work until the next authorization period comes up when missed the receivers are bricks until they are reauthorized.

Yup. The challenge is that you don't know when the authorization will time out and your DVR becomes a brick. 

Yes but hopefully that doesn't happen again with the hr44. I'm pretty sure that it can't happen with the HR24 with the older technology and I've heard that it can't receive software updates because of that. So far I've used the HR24 for a little over a week on a far away Atv/SxS camping trip. 

HR24 as the same authorization periods as all other DTV receivers.  DTV is no longer actively updating the HR24s and below but they can if needed.  

Yes, it can happen with the HR24. Could be hours. Could be weeks. 

Right, it’s not a matter of ‘I hope it doesn’t happen with the HR24.’

Mark my words, all DIRECTV DVRs ever made have had this restriction, except for perhaps the TiVo DIRECTV DVR R10/HR10. 

@Quad6425 

Even the HR24 can lose authorizations and brick until it is connected to satellite service again. It is not a matter of a software update with either the old or new models. But with either the timeout has not been consistant, being it could go hours, days, or even weeks before it happens.

You don't want to take a receiving dish to get the service while traveling and just rely on existing recordings, that is up to you. Just be aware that losing access to those recordings until reconnected remains a possible risk regardless if using boxes on the old or newer software.

The box has to verify you are still authorized for DVR service at some point. It wasn't designed for indefinite free usage.

Very interesting, thanks. On my next out of town trip I might just take both  receivers to be safe. I've never needed to reauthorize on a trip as of yet but you never know...

Just comes down to it is not a guarantee it will keep working. If the authorizations hold for the entire trip each time, consider yourself lucky. You are simply trying to use the boxes outside of their intended use by design. So you travel with no connection at your own risk which is fine if you know that going in.

Otherwise, just get a simple slimline SWM dish with tripod. I wouldn't go for the Winegard Trav'ler unless you're prepared for a costly investment.