Social Feed

jacobm69

Last reply Apr 16, 2011 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

Directv employee stealing from home in MD

saw this on our local news facebook page:
WBOC TV 16 Delmarva's News Leader | Facebook

WBOC TV 16 Delmarva's News Leader
Brian Spyros reports: The Talbot County Sheriff's Office arrested Benjamin Tate Plugge this week. Deputies say he worked for DirectTV and stole $50,000 worth of jewelry from a home in Royal Oak. The homeowner called police on Plugge after he realized something suspicious was going on. There are also reported cases of theft in Caroline and Dorchester counties that police are investigating.

207840_10150161040349539_219252434538_6556893_3963525_s.jpg

30 Replies · 6767 views

Load Replies (30) Reply Legacy View

wildbill129

Apr 15, 2011

There are crooks in every profession. DirecTV or any other satellite/cable company is no different. You do your best to background check these folks, but one will always slip through. It's best to lock up the valuables and supervise folk that are in your house.

kcaudiofx

Apr 16, 2011

Maybe this is waaaaaaay off the subject, but I am almost willing to bet anything this guy had a clean record, MOST the time, people who would technically fail a BG Check is because of something happened long time ago, EVERYONE has done something stupid in their life, but some just got caught doing it and most didn't. If a guy got caught stealing back in 1980, why punish him 31 years later? It happens.. Just had to throw that out there..

Hemi 6.1

Apr 16, 2011

"kcaudiofx" Maybe this is waaaaaaay off the subject, but I am almost willing to bet anything this guy had a clean record"""
Well Yea, the guy with a record never would have gotton the job in the first place.

But Theft is Theft, I have NO respect for any thief, I don't care if it was his first time , 10th or 30th.

And these are the companys that we are letting in our homes, It makes them look bad.

Even if it "not Directvs fault" the tech is installing and representing D* equipment and service.
Just the same as ALL SUB CONTRACTORS ARE PAID TO DO!

jacobm69

Apr 16, 2011

kcaudiofx said:
Maybe this is waaaaaaay off the subject, but I am almost willing to bet anything this guy had a clean record, MOST the time, people who would technically fail a BG Check is because of something happened long time ago, EVERYONE has done something stupid in their life, but some just got caught doing it and most didn't. If a guy got caught stealing back in 1980, why punish him 31 years later? It happens.. Just had to throw that out there..

surprisingly he has a pretty extensive record based on public records:
Maryland Judiciary Case Search=

some theft and violence convictions dating back almost 10 years, plus the most recent charges that were talked about earlier. Must have slipped through the screening process. It probably happens more often than we think. I will definately be more aware when/if i need a tech to come to my house

Hemi 6.1

Apr 16, 2011

jacobm69 said:
surprisingly he has a pretty extensive record based on public records:
. Must have slipped through the screening process. It probably happens more often than we think.

Yep , so who is to blaim?

Guess D* should Scan their Subcontractors a little better before turning them animals loose in our homes.

So now since this isn't D* fault,

Lets hear what measures D* takes in hiring subcontractors?

I bet NOTHING! Best price gets the job.

I know for a fact Our local Cable company does Random Drug testing and any Criminal Backround what so ever, even DUI, will terminate your job or prevent you from being employed by them.

Now their Subs, Who knows?

They also don't sub out all their work in my area,
D* has not 1 D* employee installing equipment in my area.
They are all subs!

Jimbo

Apr 16, 2011

wildbill129 said:
There are crooks in every profession. DirecTV or any other satellite/cable company is no different. You do your best to background check these folks, but one will always slip through. It's best to lock up the valuables and supervise folk that are in your house.

Yup, you could say that about ANY company that does any work in your home.

It doesn't happen often, but occasionally.

I'm in peoples homes on EVERY JOB I do, well, 70% anyways,and always talk to the sub which in turn usually ends up IN the house.
Unless it's cold and snowing or a torrential downpour, THEN they WON'T let you in .... Go Figure.

EVERY time I go to a subs home, I'm either fixing or installing, so the sub is better off than when I got there.

It amazes me at the people that question us showing up at the door, seeing we call you ahead of time AND THEY are the ones that called US out in the first place, I just tell them,that we don't just show up, they have to call .... how did WE know they were having trouble if they didn't CALL first !

Jimbo

Apr 16, 2011

jacobm69,

NOBODY here is DEFENDING the guy that stole the stuff, were simply stating that it is something that could happen in ANY profession that involves people coming into your homes.

If you look around theres stories in every profession like this, IF you look.

Nobody said it's alright to do this and Nobody said it was no big deal and that 50K was not a lot of money.

Personally, I don't believe the part about him stealing 50K, but thats just me.

Fwiw, this isn't really D* News, it's theft news.

ranmic

Apr 16, 2011

I'm thinking a D* hater set this guy up to make them look bad.

Jimbo

Apr 16, 2011

Hemi 6.1 said:
"kcaudiofx" Maybe this is waaaaaaay off the subject, but I am almost willing to bet anything this guy had a clean record"""
Well Yea, the guy with a record never would have gotton the job in the first place.

But Theft is Theft, I have NO respect for any thief, I don't care if it was his first time , 10th or 30th.

And these are the companys that we are letting in our homes, It makes them look bad.

Even if it "not Directvs fault" the tech is installing and representing D* equipment and service.
Just the same as ALL SUB CONTRACTORS ARE PAID TO DO!

How do we know that the guy was not working for a contractor that installs D* and E* as well as other services, the local cable company has several different contractors and have several different services done by said contractor.
Just because he may have been installing D* at the time ....
Like we all have said, it's the crime, not what company was involved.

Jimbo

Apr 16, 2011

Hemi 6.1 said:
Yep , so who is to blaim?

Guess D* should Scan their Subcontractors a little better before turning them animals loose in our homes.

So now since this isn't D* fault, Lets hear what measures D* takes in hiring subcontractors?

I bet NOTHING! Best price gets the job.

I know for a fact Our local Cable company does Random Drug testing and any Criminal Backround what so ever, even DUI, will terminate your job or prevent you from being employed by them.

Now their Subs, Who knows?

They also don't sub out all their work in my area,
D* has not 1 D* employee installing equipment in my area.
They are all subs!

This is interesting ....

"I know for a fact Our local Cable company does Random Drug testing and any Criminal Backround what so ever, even DUI, will terminate your job or prevent you from being employed by them."

So this must mean that there is ZERO chance of ever having any issues with theft in this case, right ?

And

"They also don't sub out all their work in my area,
D* has not 1 D* employee installing equipment in my area.
They are all subs!"

Of course they are company people in your area, your Local Cable company isn't NATIONWIDE.

View all replies (30)

dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 44 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

You can't even trust the cost per ounce info in grocery stores anymore

I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share

4 Replies · 35 views

Load Replies (4) Reply Legacy View

Jimbo

Today at 9:23 AM

dishstaller said:
I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share

Walmart isn't the only one ...

Juan

Today at 11:17 AM

dishstaller said:
I'm surprised Walmart hasn't banned this guy from all of their stores. He has been on their CASE the past few months.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f3zr37ekgKM?feature=share

When walmart set a price...they weigh the container and the product...the product label only shows the weight of the product...I am sure if you brought your own plastic baggies to bring the product home you could get the cheaper price

harshness

Today at 11:18 AM

Jimbo said:
Walmart isn't the only one ...

I've been seeing this more and more on Amazon. Sometimes it seems there is no way they could have arrived at the number.

What rankles me even more is Costco changing units of measure between similar products, so you have to convert them to compare prices.

dishstaller

44 minutes ago

Juan said:
When walmart set a price...they weigh the container and the product...

Then they are stupid. Everyone knows that the price per ounce should be the price per ounce of actual product.

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 49 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

68561 Replies · 2675121 views

Load Replies (68561) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

sdfntx

Today at 9:36 AM

Love Every Little Thing About You - Gallery

gms49ers

Today at 10:40 AM

Where's My Thing? - Rush

harshness

Today at 11:08 AM

I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

Reactions: dishstaller

Bobby

Today at 11:20 AM

Good Golly, Miss Molly - Little Richard

Reactions: gms49ers

dishstaller

49 minutes ago

Little Miss Dangerous - Ted Nugent

View all replies (68561)

dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 11:26 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Gas Price Info With National Gas Temperature Map

Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

5561 Replies · 460997 views

Load Replies (5561) Reply Legacy View

harshness

Sunday at 11:30 AM

I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.

harshness

Yesterday at 5:32 PM

harshness said:
I wonder if California is getting into the Winter formula.

It turns out I was justified in my suspicion.

Gavin Newsom somehow authorized the temporary move of the distribution date of the Winter blend to September 28th.

Foxbat

Yesterday at 8:39 PM

harshness said:
It turns out I was justified in my suspicion.

Gavin Newsom somehow authorized the temporary move of the distribution date of the Winter blend to September 28th.

Does that raise, or lower, the overall price? Our State Government has been doing everything it can to minimize the impact of the current situation and put a freeze on the State Taxes on fuel sales at the pump. That's why we're still under $4.00/gal. while across the border in Michigan it's much higher.

Bobby

Yesterday at 9:05 PM

Foxbat said:
Does that raise, or lower, the overall price? Our State Government has been doing everything it can to minimize the impact of the current situation and put a freeze on the State Taxes on fuel sales at the pump. That's why we're still under $4.00/gal. while across the border in Michigan it's much higher.

Winter blend is cheaper than Summer blend.

Reactions: dishstaller and Foxbat

Bobby

Today at 11:21 AM

Regular$5.839
Premium$6.299
Diesel$7.999
at Costco, Rohnert Park.

harshness

Today at 11:26 AM

Foxbat said:
Does that raise, or lower, the overall price?

Winter blend is reportedly 10-30 cents cheaper, but I would point out that prices have dropped as much as 62 cents at RP.

View all replies (5561)

reubenray

Today at 11:19 AM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish vs Streaming Apps?

Every time my Dish contract comes up I weigh the options of keeping Dish or switch to streaming. Right now I can watch/record the OTA channels vis my HDHomerun. I also can stream CBS and NBC via the Paramount+ and Peacock apps. What I would need to find is how to watch the Food Network, HGTV, Syfy, USA, Hallmark channels, Great American Family, Lifetime channels plus a few more with an app or two. My current Dish bill is $118, so I should be able to get a few apps for a lot less.

Any suggestions? I would want the best picture quality and audio quality I could get.

0 Replies · 18 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Former member 209992

Last reply Today at 11:18 AM · posted in SatelliteGuys Support Center

Site is slooooow

For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.

542 Replies · 18811 views

Load Replies (542) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: charlesrshell

Scott Greczkowski

Saturday at 3:21 PM

Ok checked it out and for some reason the web server (NGINX) tried starting before the DNS resolver fully loaded. This is why it worked when I rebooted the machine.

Thanks to ChatGPT it had me change the NGINX config to prevent this from happening again.

With that said I can't prevent the ISP from doing emergency upgrades which was the cause of all of this.

Reactions: long_time_Dish, Foxbat, FTA4PA and 1 other person

navychop

Saturday at 3:39 PM

Nature will develop better idiots.

Reactions: charlesrshell

TRG

Saturday at 4:19 PM

navychop said:
Nature will develop better idiots.

God help us.

Reactions: FTA4PA and charlesrshell

Scott Greczkowski

Monday at 11:15 AM

I guess this is what the downtime was about.

Reactions: long_time_Dish, Foxbat, Bobby and 3 others

Scott Greczkowski

Today at 11:18 AM

Just a heads up... I just patched our PHP to close the major PHP exploit announced this morning.

Now on PHP 8.4.27 (cli) (built: Oct 20 2026 00:00:00)

Reactions: dishstaller, FTA4PA and charlesrshell

View all replies (542)

Booredatwork.com

Today at 10:52 AM · posted in BooredAtWork.COM

iPhone Duo Folio Kickstand Case!

Time for another AWESOME video from BoredAtWork!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RTpsyCQSAgA

Direct YouTube Link - iPhone Duo Folio Kickstand Case!
Booredatwork.com Website
Booredatwork on Facebook

0 Replies · 6 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Gary Toma

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 10:40 AM · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/14/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:

National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)

Additional tabs provide:

OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders

Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions

DIRECTV_TPN_Map_261014.xlsx 1,874 KB

2147 Replies · 934749 views

Load Replies (2147) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Zakdj, Mr Tony, Tom Speer and 3 others

KyL416

Yesterday at 2:37 PM

WCWW/25 CW South Bend and WBKP/5 CW Marquette are now testing on the stream server. These are both already available on satellite.

Now live in the satellite guide:
663-2 PISTONS (663-1 is likely being reserved for an overflow feed of Detroit Sportsnet, if there's a 2027 MLB season)
675 THUNDER
693 CLIPPERS

Reactions: Mr Tony

doctor J

Today at 7:22 AM

DirecTV Satellite Transponder Updates for Oct 21 2026

Comparison of Transponder Data for Oct 21 2026 vs Oct 14 2026:

No changes in system tables for any transponder tuning parameters.

Changes to the use of defined transponders:

1 Transponder cleared of all Streams::
Net 10 TID 126 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D11@99cb, TPN 3

1 Previously unused Transponder with current APG records::
Net 15 TID 15 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D12@103ca, TPN 16

Stream (PID) counts:

LIVE Streams	National		Spot Beams
	Count	Change	Count	Change
4K	4
HD	264	2	1449
SD mpeg4	145		194
SD mpeg2	433
RB
Audio	89
Push	26
Slate	19		1

TEST Streams	National		Spot Beams
	Count	Change	Count	Change
4K
HD			1
SD mpeg4
SD mpeg2
RB
Engr Work	38	-2

The PID count Excel workbook provides much more count detail.

Newly updated tables of Streams on each transponder are available in the DataDigesters TPN Grids

More details of changes in individual channels will follow in the Weekly Analysis
and Gary Toma's Domestic TPN Map Excel files

NBA Updates
Weekly Analysis soon
Enjoy
DataDigesters

doctor J

Today at 7:23 AM

weekly Analysis for 10/21/2026:

Weekly_Analysis_261021.xlsx 16 KB

KyL416

Today at 7:25 AM

HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

Mr Tony

Today at 10:40 AM

KyL416 said:
HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

Wait…..
So even though DAZN keeps touting 'only way to see games' if you are a subscriber to Choice (like my stepdad) if an agreement is reached he can see the Wolfies on 668?
I know the Wild are in dispute and a slate is on 668-1.

View all replies (2147)

Marques Brownlee

Today at 10:32 AM · posted in Marques Brownlee