As I mentioned over on the Detroit local channels "blanking out" thread, I solved all my local channel/OTA freeze-ups, blank-outs, audio drop-outs, inability to record OTA with the dongle problems by picking up a Tivo Roamio last week with no upfront cost ($20 per month with a two year commitment, making the total cost for the Roamio $120 at the end of two years.) Works like a charm. I reduced my Dish bill by twenty bucks to make up for the Tivo subscription.
Funny, you'd think with the high percentage of viewing the local channels get, Dish would make them priority one, but I guess not.