Satellite Dish

[PackerFan]

Just got my Winegard Trav'ler Dish installed on the Montana. We use DirecTV. It's sure a lot nicer then trying to aim the dish mounted on a tri-pod, just push the power button and wait a couple of minutes and Wa-La....TV is on and working! Wonderful!!

[DQDick]

Yup, we have a Wineguard Carryout and it's Level-up for TV's.

[maximo]

Do any of you have a real problem with trees or can you get around that. I have the old dish on the tri-pod and it is a real pain in the rear.

Frank

[Rainer]

quote:Originally posted by PackerFan

Just got my Winegard Trav'ler Dish installed on the Montana. We use DirecTV. It's sure a lot nicer then trying to aim the dish mounted on a tri-pod, just push the power button and wait a couple of minutes and Wa-La....TV is on and working! Wonderful!!

Welcome to the "life is easy" club! I've had mine for a year and the only time it's failed me is when I end up with a tree in the way, and once a mountain.....

[BigAl52]

Are you guys hooking the dish into the cable tv outlet in the convience center or running it in another way. I have atv diagram thought if I removed the loop you could hook it to that spot in the convience center. Thanks Al

[Rainer]

quote:Originally posted by BigAl52

Are you guys hooking the dish into the cable tv outlet in the convience center or running it in another way. I have atv diagram thought if I removed the loop you could hook it to that spot in the convience center. Thanks Al

Mine is completely rewired.

As a result, I use two different inputs into the big LED TV, one from the cable/antenna and one from the satellite receiver (HDMI). As a result I get a better picture via the HD from the satellite.

The bedroom TV uses and AB switch so that I can have the cable/antenna and the satellite inputs. I am only running one satellite receiver in the RV, but utilize an RF remote that has enough range to change channels in the bedroom via the satellite. The drawback when I view satellite is that the TV's show the same channel.

On the pass-through, I have one connection for the cable/antenna and another for the satellite, I am not using an AB switch, I have to plug the TV into the jack I want to use. But since I use quick connect rather than screw-in connectors this isn't that big a deal. When viewing satellite here, I can again use the RF satellite receiver remote to change channels, and also when on satellite it will show the same channel on all TV's.

Hopefully this isn't too confusing. The simple answer is I had my RV rewired for my particular HD satellite.

[bncinwv]

The dealer wired our system into the back of the satellite in connectors for the bedroom and living room at the convenience center which connected directly into the rig's wiring system and therefore can receive Directv, antenna or cable. If the Directv boxes are not turned on we can choose either antenna or cable via the selector on the tv (Cable or Air). For the outside tv, they again connected to the back of the connection in the basement. On our Samsung 40" tv the Directv remote controls everything except for switching the audio to surround sound on the tv. We do have to use two remotes for the Jensen in the bedroom, but that is only because I have yet to program the direct remote. Interestingly, we don't have to change anything at the house, since we also have Samsung tv's there and the Directv remote works on them as well. The 40 inch Samsung in the rig has a better picture than our 50" plasma at the house! I have posted pictures of the satellite coax connections in the past and am very pleased with how the dealer did it!
Bingo

on edit: With regards to the questions about trees, I have been in sites where the dish is pointed directly through trees and have always been amazed to get a signal. Typically, our sites are open directly overhead and I have yet to camp anywhere where I did not get a satellite signal. I used to carry the portable just in case the satellites were obstructed, but have not even done that for more than a year. Just my experience.

[RJI47]

We use the carryout also. No problems all last winter except where there was a bad storm. Lost satellite for a few hours, but then it came back. We're happy with it.

[DQDick]

We hook ours directly to the outlets in the convenience center. As for trees, I can mount ours on either a ladder mount which we use for long term stops or on a tripod. I didn't go for a roof mount because we are frequently near of under trees and the way we have it rigged I can set the antenna up wherever it gets a good signal, but no matter which I use I just set it up and walk away. It finds the satellites on it's own.

[hunts800]

We have the roof mount HD antenna and love it, and had it wired so we can switch to park cable If desired.

What you may not know -I didn't - when you get over about 450-500 miles from your stick house account, you lose ALL of your local channels due to FCC regulations. For us, our local Channels are ABC,NBC, &CBS. I have been unable to get a rationale from FCC on this, but the only alternative is to have a separate mobile Direct/Dish subscription which requires FCC approval.

[richfaa]

It is called a spot beam......

A spot beam, in telecommunications parlance, is a satellite signal that is specially concentrated in power (i.e. sent by a high-gain antenna) so that it will cover only a limited geographic area on Earth. Spot beams are used so that only earth stations in a particular intended reception area can properly receive the satellite signal.

One notable example of the use of spot beams is on direct broadcast satellite systems such as DirecTV and Dish Network that deliver local broadcast television via satellite only to viewers in the part of North America from which those terrestrial broadcast stations originate.

Spot beams allow satellites to transmit different data signals using the same frequency. Because satellites have a limited number of frequencies to use, the ability to re-use a frequency for different geographical locations (without different data interfering with each other at the receiver) allows for more local channels to be carried, since the same frequency can be used in several regions

[Rainer]

quote:Originally posted by hunts800

What you may not know -I didn't - when you get over about 450-500 miles from your stick house account, you lose ALL of your local channels due to FCC regulations. For us, our local Channels are ABC,NBC, &CBS. I have been unable to get a rationale from FCC on this, but the only alternative is to have a separate mobile Direct/Dish subscription which requires FCC approval.

And if you fill out the paperwork for this exemption, you'll end up paying $11/month for each of those ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC adds up to $44/month. Too rich for my blood. So, if I don't have antenna range or a campground cable connection, I have to wait until I get home to watch shows that I missed on my home satellite DVR like "Dancing with the Stars". Last summer I missed the majority of the Olympics because of this funky rule.

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by hunts800

...........

What you may not know -I didn't - when you get over about 450-500 miles from your stick house account, you lose ALL of your local channels due to FCC regulations. For us, our local Channels are ABC,NBC, &CBS. I have been unable to get a rationale from FCC on this, but the only alternative is to have a separate mobile Direct/Dish subscription which requires FCC approval.

As mentioned it is due to the spot beam. Think of it as a spotlight aimed at the earth. If you are outside that beam of light, then you lose you home local channels. There are separate beams for different areas of the country generally centered about major metropolitan areas.
BUT.
Dish has a program where you can add your RV to your home account for $7/month. When we travel outside our spot beam we call Dish, give them our new location (service address), and they reprogram us to the nearest locals of that destination. Our home is in the DFW area. But when in Colorado, they reprogram us to the Denver locals. When we were in Fredericksburg, TX they reprogrammed us to the Austin/San Antonio locals. That way we still get all the network programs (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX) plus local (to that area) news and weather.

[CATCRAW]

We too have the Winegard and love it. We have had a few instances where the trees would not cooperate and we could not get a signal no matter how we positioned the Montana. We have a Carryout now for those spots - problem solved.

[2Wanderers]

We've got the Winegard carryout with the ladder mount. We love it. No more spending an hour with the tripod and aiming at the wrong satellite. Very easy to use. We use a satellite receiver and recorder in standard definition so the wife gets to see all her shows. Had to hook up a second line and do some equipment center modifications. Couldn't get local stations this winter so needed the park's cable, which amounted to some more equipment center modifications for one more cable input. If you travel very much, I guess all these variations and modifications are just part of enjoying your rig.

[kab449]

The Carryout is a pretty nifty gadget, but if you have Direct TV and are spoiled by High Definition TV its not so nifty. The Traveler and a Slimeline Dish you put on a tripod and aim manually are your only choice for Direct TV High Def. The new Traveler is now SWM capable which really makes it a breeze to hook up.

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by hunts800


What you may not know -I didn't - when you get over about 450-500 miles from your stick house account, you lose ALL of your local channels due to FCC regulations. For us, our local Channels are ABC,NBC, &CBS. I have been unable to get a rationale from FCC on this, but the only alternative is to have a separate mobile Direct/Dish subscription which requires FCC approval.

The loss of locals is not due to the FCC but rather the technology of spot beams used by DirecTV/Dish. RichFaa explained it perfectly. Just follow the $$. Less satellites and transponders = $$ savings.

Additionally, the FCC requires the satellite vendor to verify a request for mobile (i.e RV) exemption but the FCC doesn't approve any of the requests. The satellite vendor needs to have the copy of your registration in case they are audited. The whole process is controlled in house and never reaches the government.

quote:Originally posted by Rainer


...And if you fill out the paperwork for this exemption, you'll end up paying $11/month for each of those ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC adds up to $44/month. Too rich for my blood. ..

I don't know which satellite vendor you use, but DirecTV charges me $10 per month for *ALL* the west coast networks feeds (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW). Since I am grandfathered in, I also get *ALL* the east coast feeds (same networks) for an additional $10 per month. Pretty cheap IMO.

quote:Originally posted by kab449

The Carryout is a pretty nifty gadget, but if you have Direct TV and are spoiled by High Definition TV its not so nifty. The Traveler and a Slimeline Dish you put on a tripod and aim manually are your only choice for Direct TV High Def. The new Traveler is now SWM capable which really makes it a breeze to hook up.

Kab449 is a smart guy! I am locked into DirecTV (because of having both the East and West locals) and I have to have HD. The SWM technology is perfect for the wiring in newer Montanas. I use a SL3 portable antenna since the Winegard Traveler with SWM is a recent upgrade. As I camp frequently in trees, a portable antenna is a necessity for me.

Edited to fix typos.

[DQDick]

We use Dish and with the Winegard get HD and the locals wherever we go. We just call Dish when we land where we are going and they switch us to those locals. Takes about 15 minutes and we're in business.

[Rainer]

quote:Originally posted by Rainer


...And if you fill out the paperwork for this exemption, you'll end up paying $11/month for each of those ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC adds up to $44/month. Too rich for my blood. ..

I don't know which satellite vendor you use, but DirecTV charges me $10 per month for *ALL* the west coast networks feeds (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW). Since I am grandfathered in, I also get *ALL* the east coast feeds (same networks) for an additional $10 per month. Pretty cheap IMO.
[/quote]

I use DirecTV.

Last year I was a Zion NP and received my San Diego local network signals. I returned from Zion this past Saturday and camped only a 1/4 mile from the previous year's site. But I didn't get any of my San Diego channels, but rather a 771 error. I called DirecTV customer support and was told about the $11/month charge. I believe because you're grandfathered in you get the better deal. I'm SOL.

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by Rainer

Last year I was a Zion NP and received my San Diego local network signals. I returned from Zion this past Saturday and camped only a 1/4 mile from the previous year's site. But I didn't get any of my San Diego channels, but rather a 771 error. I called DirecTV customer support and was told about the $11/month charge. I believe because you're grandfathered in you get the better deal. I'm SOL.

The group I tend to camp with have been converting to Distant Network Service (DNS) aka West Coast locals from DirecTVfor their RVs. One added the service last summer and another added the service last month. Both are charged $10. Existing customers get no breaks from DirecTV. If anything, they are the first to be screwed by new rates.

The DirecTV 1-800-INDIA folks are frequently incorrect. It pays to hang up and call again when you get an answer you don't like or is reasonable. But understand the DNS offering is *ONLY* available to RV eligible receivers.