DNS stands for 'Distant Network Service'. All DirecTV receivers are programmed for the local channels of the national networkds to the receiver's service address. So, since I'm in Rockford IL, I have their ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS (and CW) channels activated on my plan. 13, 17, 23, 10, respectively. When I leave home (in the past) I take one of my two receivers in the house and plug it into the Winegard antenna in the coach. Local channels cover about a 200 mile radius, so I have been camped in Goshen, IN and still been able to get the Rockford local channels for the national networks. I have been as far as Albert Lea, MN and received them. Beyond that, DirecTV will not get the signal. Of course all other cities have their own local channels for the national networks, but unless DirecTV has them switched on, you can't receive them.
As an alternative, they offer DNS which allows you to get the national networks, but only their "feeder" stations in New York and California. So they program those channels into your receiver.
What precipitated all of this was the Chicago Blackhawks playing in the Stanley Cup Finals in June. We left home on June 6th, and at that time, prior to the finals, the games were being shown on NBC Sports Network, which is not local, and can be received anywhere if its in your programming package, just like A&E, Food Network, etc. Well, NBC switched the 5th game of the semi-final with the LA Kings to the national network..NBC..and took it off of NBC Sportsnetwork. So, here I am, in Plankinton, SD..UNABLE to get the game!! I called DirecTV and asked them to switch my service address to the address of the campground in SD. Lo and behold, they tell me they no longer do that. You have to establish an RV account with DNS.
Ended up going to a local sports bar, that had their local NBC on, and watched the game. Since the game was in LA, it was on late, so those folks were pretty cool to stay open late and cheer on the 'Hawks with me and Becky. The Hawks won and advanced to the finals...where ALL of the games were on NBC. Fortunately, the owner of Yellowstone Valley Inn and RV Park in Custer, SD was a transplanted Chicagoan and the games were on in the bar. We watched our beloved Blackhawks win THE CUP for the 2nd time in 4 years!!
So, when we got back home, I first inquired about the DNS with DirecTV, and was told its an additional $15.00 per month. I started thinking of the OTA which we have never used, as a way to get local network TV, so next year I will be able to watch a Blackhawks repeat!
Which lead me to the issues of trying to hook it up. We rarely watch network TV, even at home, so this is just a precautionary measure.