TGarrett
TN/SC
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Ok I have a Kingdome, and two standard dishes that were installed before I bought my rig. None have been tested by me so not sure if any work or are even wired correctly. I was thinking of getting Hughesnet internet or something similar.
I am not looking for advice on what service to get I am just using that as an example for a techincal question.
I know they have "SPECIAL" dishes for the two way internet services satellites.
Would I have to run new wires or would the existing wires be ok allowing me to just swap out the dish?
If I get this service do they make dishes that can swap out with where the current dish is sitting, or at least a remote mount.
Garrett
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Executive
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I can't help you with HughesNet as I don't know how they are configured. Dish and DirecTV have different dishes so I assume Hughes does too. Inside the Kingdome is a half dish designed to pick up both Dish and Direct sats but only one. Lots have changed in the past seven or eight years. Regardless, the wiring for all the dishes is the same...RG6. HughesNet has their own mounting hardware. I would remove all the extra "stuff" and simply mount the new Hughes (or similar) dish where the current Kingdome sits. Use the wiring that's there, add another feed if you need it for HD or DVR capabilities and be done with it....Dennis
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djousma
SW Michigan
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Well, I was going to say its not something you can do, but I found a quick link with some photo's. Not sure you will like the price...
www.groundcontrol.com
* This post was
edited 08/01/12 06:36am by djousma *
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pigman1
Delaware
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To replace a King Dome with a Directv Winegard Trav'ler setup, you take the dome off, ADD A SEPARATE CONTROL CABLE and perhaps another feed if you want a backup or recorder, and you have a satellite TV receiver. For the Hughes net setup, you need a separate dish that has a receiver and transmitter that will talk both ways. This requires an input antenna cable, an output cable and a multi-wire control cable. There is a rather unique system where you can mount a Directv or Dish LNB on a separate arm to use the Hughes dish and get receiving TV signals with only one receiver dish, but this is becoming less and less popular as HD TV becomes more popular. This is called bird on a wire, but is somewhat hard to setup, restricts you to a particular Hughes satellite due to system geometry, and is problematical at high latitudes.
We use a Trav'ler 3005 in place of a new King Dome for TV, and a 1 meter dish for Hughes satellite Internet. We've had both for over 5 years on 2 different coaches and travel from the southwest to Florida to the northeast to Alaska. Love it as we are many places where there is no cell service at all.
John
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TGarrett
TN/SC
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Thanks for the info, satellites are one thing I have never dealt with much. I have done some reading but am not familiar with the controls or wiring just the concepts of how it works. I have internet where I am now but it really, really sucks I have to reconnect or have broken seconds here and there every 10-20 mins so I can't upload videos and stuff. Just looking at options.
As for the price djousma I'm sure there are plenty of options for getting around some of that price, if not a week or two of overtime should do it.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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A lot depends on the dishes.
Hughesnet and the other RV compatable competitors use a fairly large dish This dish is nearly a full meter across, It is oval shaped and is much heavier than the standard TV dishes, You need TWO coax lines to it (Transmit and receive) and control lines if you have an automatic roof top unit. Thus you may need to run new coax.
Frankly.. I would suggest a tripod mount.
The dishes you have now.. I'd have to see a photo to comment.
One suggestion regarding Satellite TV (Well 2)
The only service that works 100% with domes is DirecTV (non-HD) however DISH will also work (Both HD and SD with some domes) DirecHDTV will not work with a dome.
The suggestion_.
In the LNB lead on the receiver put a simple low-cost A/B switch, A simple sliding or push button switch (NOT an electronic one) with the 'A" lead connected to the dome or dish up on the roof up above
And the B lead going to a bulkhead connector or a Ground Block in the Basement down Below.
That way if you are parked under the evil Signal Eating Tree, as I am often parked, you simply hook up your tripod mount, slide the switch to B and eitehr aim, then check switch (Dish) or Reset and aim (DirecTV)
Slide back to "A" before disconnecting and again do the reset or pull out in the clear let the dome lock on and check switch.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Running new wires is the very least item you need to consider. My G74 had a transmit coax, receive coax and the control cable. The coax needs to be the right signal quality and I'm doubtful that your existing TV cables would be adequate. The G74 would not be compatible parts wise with any TV dish.
Hughes is a very expensive option - about $90/mth I think and the setup could run $4K or more but check on current prices. If you really have no other options then go for it.
I just removed my G74 that came with the rig. It's basically overpriced, restricted bandwidth and worth very little. Look around maybe you can get a used unit from someone.
BTW I'm going to install solar where the G74 use to reside.
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Bob
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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About using existing wires - my opinion: Don't. Locate where you want the dish considering clearance and any future roof upgrades. Run new wires on the roof to a convient cabinet with AC power, possibly inverter AC power for the the controllers. Add a router and you're wireless anywhere in/near the rig.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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TGarrett wrote:I am not looking for advice on what service to get I am just using that as an example for a techincal question. Have you considered a Verizon MiFi card? Plus a high gain WiFi antenna/amp? Plus a iPhone 4S which will also operate on CG WiFi? Per your request no advice just questions.
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