I'm thinking of installing a Datastorm, Motosat, or similar dish on my motorhome to give me satellite internet access while in Mexico over the winter. I've heard though that a dish on the roof will be a big waste of money if I can't get a clear sky shot to the satellite, and it has been suggested that a tripod based system is more practical, even allowing for the manual setup. Could I have the benefit of experience from those who have roof based systems? What percentage of the time are you unable to get a clear shot to the satellite? Do you think a tripod system is indeed more practical?
We've been using a Direct Star roof mounted antenna on the RV and a fixed antenna at home. I installed both. You've accurately described the issues. Under trees-poor to no signal. Tripod mount- storage issues, big heavy dish, needs to be up as it does radiate when transmitting and can be a PITA to set up.
Decide what you need based on where you spend more time and your frustration factor to tolerate a tripod setup.
One issue you need to think about is which satellite you will be assigned to. When I subscribed, Hughes would assign you to a satellite of their choice, based on your address, and you couldn't change it. For the same price I got my service through a reseller, and can change satellites twice a year. We go to Alaska often so we use Horizon 1 at 127W.
John
2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40' QSP
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
BlueOx Aventa LX Tow Bar
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Copilot Live Laptop 10 GPS
I have a roof top automatic unit. It all depends on where you are going to camp the majority of time. One thing to remember is that the further south you go the satellite will be higher in the sky and therefore I have very few situations where I cannot get a signal. In Calgary or further north the satellite is a lot lower down on the horizon so you have to be more careful where you camp. For me I would not have a tripod system because of the storage and I know my better half would not give up any of her storage areas for me to put the tripod and a large dish.
We have the rooftop mount. In 15 months on the road, there have been two instances we couldn't get a signal. In both cases, moving campsites took care of the issue. I wouldn't trade the convenience of a rooftop for anything. It is really nice to push a button and have it do all the work. We have used it on the same satellite from the Texas/Mexico border to Canada/Montana border.
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