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Old 09-27-2016, 03:56 AM   #1
cwhite
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Satellite

I am buying a new Montana and would like to have input on Satellite systems. I currently have a G2 carryout but it does not support HD/DVD systems. I was looking at installing a roof mounted system but was informed it would void the roof warranty. Does anyone have any suggestions, I had a tripod mounted slim line dish but got tired of calling Direct tv to adjust it everytime we moved.
 
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Old 09-27-2016, 04:00 AM   #2
rames14
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You are getting incorrect advice. We have the Winegard Travl'r roof mounted system. This is our second unit with the Travl'r. We absolutely love it, with one caveat. Just know that you don't have the flexibility of the G2 to locate around trees. We have only had a few places in the last seven years where we didn't get satellite. The trade off is, when you pull in on a rainy day, you will love the roof mounted system.
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Old 09-27-2016, 04:29 AM   #3
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We also love our Traveler roof mounted system. I have had a roof mounted system on the last two rigs, both installed by my dealer, and I have never heard anyone say it would void your roof warranty.

So in the last 7 years, only two negatives: when you get over 450-500 miles from your stick house you need to call Direct TV (I think same applies to Dish) and change your equipment location if you want to receive major network channels, second, you need to make sure trees do not block your antenna view of the sky.

Other than that...push button watch HD TV.
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Old 09-27-2016, 05:03 AM   #4
DQDick
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We also have a traveler, Dish model. Seldom have trouble with trees because ours is mounted on the front of the rig and they seldom have trees where you are first trying to back in.
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Old 09-27-2016, 05:53 AM   #5
waynemoore
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Dish traveler here and love it.
I also have a G2 and two 211Z controllers if anyone is interested?
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Old 09-27-2016, 06:00 AM   #6
mhs4771
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We're on our third 5er and a Travl'r one each one. We have the Distant Network package since we travel full time, so always have the major networks.
More and more CGs have Satellite friendly sites, just have to inquire when checking in.
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Old 09-27-2016, 06:42 AM   #7
1retired06
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We use an old fashioned tripod. Our choice. Whoever told you roof mounted antenna system voids warranty does not know what they are talking about.
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Old 09-27-2016, 01:48 PM   #8
Art-n-Marge
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I am a bigger cheapskate than you 1retired06. I actually built a double plywood platform (to make it heavy and low profile so as not to be blown away). I then use a satellite app in my tablet to find a clear path through any trees to start placing this base. I permanently fastened a vertical satellite dish-compatible post. The platform is marked with a North, which I then aim north. I also have 3 capture bolts like a tripod near the edges of the platform that I use to screw up or down and use a level on top of the post to make level. I then drop the HD satellite dish on top of the post then move side to side and/or up/down slightly to find the signal. I also use the Satellite app to find the general direction of the satellites I need and point this to help with the aim. It takes about 5 minutes to set up the hardware and about 5 minutes to find the signal at the campground where we spend about 70% of our time fulltiming. We spend 1 out of 4 weeks (25%) at our house (and just tap into the house satellite connection; no dish needed). I think I got pretty good at it. The last 5% for those of you doing the math, is at other places we vacation (Yosemite, San Diego, various deserts, other cities, etc.) This means that minor adjustments are made to my aim to obtain signal.

You guys with your deeper pockets just gotta watch out where you park. And your automation allows you to travel way more places than I do, which could make aiming a dish much more difficult due to the variety of the aim. So far my platform/dish hasn't been stolen, so now that you know, I'm expecting any one of you to steal my setup since it ain't nailed to the RV.
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Old 09-27-2016, 02:27 PM   #9
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I use a Dish Tailgater. It is very easy to setup, choose the state you are in and hit the scan button, go set down and watch TV in a few minutes. I mounted it permanent on the top of my camper and used the existing coax cable for the over the air TV. It's only about $350, another plus.
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Old 09-27-2016, 03:06 PM   #10
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Little travler mounted on the roof. Need 110v power where your box is located. Push the power button and forget it. One place I had an issue with a tree that was in a bad spot. The rest of the time has been good to go. It is very nice when you can't get antenna service. One other thing if you are not a full timer is it is best if you use the system at least once every four weeks or you may have to call Dish to reset the system. That is the advice I got from one of their associates that seemed to be a bit sharper than most.

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Old 09-27-2016, 03:58 PM   #11
cwhite
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Thanks for all of the in put and advice
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Old 09-27-2016, 04:54 PM   #12
Dam Worker
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Little travler mounted on the roof. Need 110v power where your box is located. Push the power button and forget it. One place I had an issue with a tree that was in a bad spot. The rest of the time has been good to go. It is very nice when you can't get antenna service. One other thing if you are not a full timer is it is best if you use the system at least once every four weeks or you may have to call Dish to reset the system. That is the advice I got from one of their associates that seemed to be a bit sharper than most.

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Old 09-28-2016, 01:37 PM   #13
Mark N.
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I bought a good tripod, a dish and a triple LNB. I grab my Dish Hopper and Joey from home when I leave. I then have HD in both the Living room and the bedroom and independent programming on each TV. I can aim it quickly using a phone app. and I can put it where trees aren't an issue for reception. I love the set-up!
I do have to call if I want the locals. I usually don't care for the network programming though, so I usually don't bother.
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Old 09-28-2016, 01:42 PM   #14
jameswbarton
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When you mount the Traveler on a softer roof use the optional base plate. It adds a lot of area and makes it much more stable.
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Old 09-28-2016, 03:18 PM   #15
mhs4771
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And if you don't use the optional base plate, you need to make sure a plate is mounted under the roller to prevent wearing a hole into your roof material.
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Old 09-29-2016, 02:07 AM   #16
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We had two Montanas and on both we had Winegard Travler dishes installed on top. They were Direct-TV dishes. Never really had issues with trees blocking our reception. Now we are trying to decide what to install on our MH coach. The Travler dish is expensive and you have to pick between Dish or Direct, but it is the only logical one for the roof if you have to have HD Direct signal. We are leaning toward one of Winegard's dome models that we can mount on the roof. They had a couple models you can switch between Direct and Dish, problem is when they are tuned to Direct it is only a SD signal. They are cheaper but you always have the option of changing satellite providers. What to do.....
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Old 09-30-2016, 12:10 PM   #17
WaltBennett
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Guess a lot of you all have more money than me. And, I've always had issues with CG spots not giving good southern view. Got the new version of the Tailgaiter and have been very happy with it - can put it on the roof, on the ground, or wherever and get the best reception possible without having to move from one spot to another.
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Old 09-30-2016, 12:58 PM   #18
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Walt if you have a hard time finding the satellites there is an APP for that, Dish Pointer. It cost a buck I think. You rotate your phone until the satellites come into view on the screen. You can see if anything is blocking your dish view, no question. It works perfect.
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Old 10-03-2016, 01:01 PM   #19
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Well, I am glad to know I am not the only old school satalite dish traveler, lol. We have an 18" round for Direct tv on a 2" steel pipe mounted to a 24" square piece of plywood. I had to cut two corners at 45 degrees to fit between the frig and table legs. If we know where we are going to be while traveling, I look up the location zip codes and find the sat positions and write them down. That way I just look up the positioning and can set up and adjust the approximant signal direction. Then turn the tv on and listen to the beeping as I turn dish for best signal strength. Keep a logbook where you have been and where you are going to help on future trips. Hope this helps. Oh yeah, one problem we had/have, is that if you go more then 3-4 weeks without using your small service box, the Direct company may deactivate your box. We do not worry about local channels with at, we use the antenna for those, if there are any, lol.
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