Ok team, now I need some more help with the new m/h. I am interested in installing dish etc... not real sure what all I need to purchase, install and subscribe to. Tried talking with the local reps from dealership and felt I was getting a sales talk. I have the tv, switch box a hammer and big screwdriver, so how bout helpn a redneck out?
1. Do you currently have a satellite provider?
2. Do you want HD programming?
3. Do you want in-motion reception (while the vehicle is moving), or strictly stationary?
2005 Providence 39J
2007 Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab Dingy
2002 EZ-Go Custom Electric Golf Cart
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Do you already have Dish or DirecTV at your house? If you do, all you need is another dish, something to mount it on (like a tripod or drive a post in the ground), some coax cable, and either borrow the receiver (set top box) from your home or get another. You will also need a compass to help in aiming the dish.
If you don't already have Dish or DirecTV, you will need to subscribe (and they will probably set you up with a "free" dish and receiver) or you can go with one of the free services, which don't offer much usable programming unless you are looking for foreign broadcasts.
Right now, with everyone changing over to high-definition, you can probably get the receiver and dish for free. I see no need to start off with HD unless the TV in your rig is over 30 inches.
Tom and Lynne
Tom is an Electronics Engineer, Lynne a retired teacher.
old rig is a 1988 Winnebago Superchief, just back from being on tour with the Blue Turtle Seduction (band)
new (our dream rig) is a 2003 Foretravel 38' U295
Do what was said above and call either D-TV or Dish and they usually have packages that give you a free reciever and a dish.
You will need a Tripod, good quality cable, and a compus.
Use this site to find your coordinates. Sat finder by address
Good Luck
Nick-
MCI 102C3 40' 2006' Bus Conversion by Atlantic Custom Coach
Detroit 475hp 8V92t w/Allison Ht750 auto
Master Mason, Cannon Lodge #104 S. Seaville N.J.
FMCA# F-27317-S
Do what was said above and call either D-TV or Dish and they usually have packages that give you a free reciever and a dish.
You will need a Tripod, good quality cable, and a compus.
Use this site to find your coordinates. Sat finder by address
Hurricane Jimmy wrote: Oh, and I do want to mount the dish on the m/h
The new systems manufactured by Winegard shown here are the hot new ticket, but they are pricey...starting off at around $1500 at CW.
Another option is a KVH dome. They run around $1000, but won't allow you to view multiple satellites at the same time, but I believe they are working on something along those lines for Dish Network 1000 subscribers.
There are many options and many choices and they can get confusing
First are you going with "Standard" deff (Like last decade's television) or High Deff (Next year's television) You need to make a decision, I'll give some input but I can make NO recommendation since this is a "Personal prefference" thing. Of course, as you can guess HD costs more
Now Dishnetwork or DirecTV, both have advantages. There are several things about DISH that make me suggest Direc if you are going to go SD, HD, once again I can not make a recommendation save in some special cases.
Nest one receiver, 2, or best yet a DVR (Dual input)
Next "in motion" or stationary
and finally "Roof or Ground mount"
Now for the data you need to help you.
Dome antennas, these have a good aerodynamic profile and do not mind wind speeds well in excess of 100mph, they mount on your roof and come in 2*2 types
The first two are "Stationary" and "in motion" In motions can track WHILE YOU DRIVE
The second two types are "Single sat" (Dish 300 class) or Multi-sat (500 or 1000 class) No matter what the class they still see only ONE SATELLITE AT A TIME the multi-sat dishes (Dish 500 is 2 sats, 1000 is 3) switch their focus fairly quickly and at the request of a receiver
If you are using a single receiver.. Then domes can work well If you are using DirecTV SDTV then a domes can work well.. even if you are using a dual-input DVR or multiple receivers (This is not true of Dishnetwork however) if you are using Dish HDTV and a single receiver A dome can work will If you want DirecTV HDTV you will not be 100% satisfied with a dome. AT THIS TIME.. (I can not predict the future) The reason is Direc is migrating all it's HD content to a different frequency band and the domes do not do Ka band at this time.
Now. in addition to domes you have DISH type antennas of which I believe the best are made by http://www.motosat.com (center of page last time I looked) these come in 3 types.. Auto roof, Manual Roof (Winegard makes that one) and Tripod(Get it at your local Dish or Direc supplier or off E-bay or Craig's list) I do suggest that you have a tripod even if you have a dome
Once again you need the antenna that matches your receiver Dish 300/DirecTV classic, Dish 500, Dish 1000, DirecTV Slimline 5LNB
Advantages of automatic roof mounts.. Very simple set up. Push button, wait a bit, watch TV DISH type must be stowed when in use (Push button to stow)
Manual roof mount advantage.. Easier to crank up than a tripod. Easier to store
Disadvantage of roof mounts.. Signal eating tree, or other object in line of site blocking signal
Advantage of tripod (Ground) mount.. You can often get around the disadvantage listed above
Best of both world... Several places sell very inexpensive A/B antenna switches You want one with NO electronics, NO Remote, No automatic anything, Just 3 connections marked A B and one in the center which may be marked C or Common
Hook the Rooftop dish to "A" line from "B" to a connection point (Compartment or bulkhead) for the tripod A = Above B=Below
Dish type antennas can be used with a single receiver, Multiple receivers, A dual input DVR, multiple DVR's whatever you got they work with so long as you have the proper dish.
But you do have to point 'em. Some folks have a hard time doing that, Including myself here in Michigan
Now in Arizona I can dang near point em blindfolded
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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