Fred, The software in the receiver is expecting to see the signal from the birds and when it does not (for an extended period set by DirectTV) it drops off the network. It does not talk to the network, just receives from it. We have a unit used in our outdoor area that has not "called home" for over three years. Its one of the older TIVO units, still works fine, just displays the "call home" message when we use the DVR features.