Adding Direct TV problems - Montana Owners Club

maximo · 07-04-2011, 04:14 AM

How do you add a Direct TV & Satellite Dish and still use your Cable TV hookup when you have cable avaliable? My 2011 Big Sky has a jack for both but what do you switch inside? Use the hand control,change conections, add more wires??????

Frank

8.1al · 07-04-2011, 07:05 AM

We use something similiar to this. http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-2875...9799037&sr=8-2 You may need something different depending on your type of connectors

**Carl n Susan** · 07-04-2011, 10:17 AM

The OP's 2011 Montana has separate connectors for cable and satellite cables so connecting both at once is not the problem. It is hard to describe a solution without knowing more about his current DirecTV and TV configuration. My DirecTV DVR (non-HD) has a RF connector specifically for cable TV feed. With the power to the DirecTV box OFF, the cable TV signal is sent out on the DirecTV output line. You have to change channels with the TV tuner (the DirecTV box doesn't control the channel selection). Turn the DirecTV box ON and you get DirecTV's satellite channels output (on the standard channel 3/4 selection).

As a minimum one needs to know what pieces parts the OP is using before suggesting a solution.

8.1al · 07-04-2011, 11:04 AM

Our 2004 has 2 seperate connections outside, did they eliminate one in some newer models?

mhs4771 · 07-04-2011, 11:50 AM

I use the HDMI input on the TV for the Sat Rcvr and standard Ant input for Cable. Then just change the sources on the TV between Sat and Cable.

MBeaubien · 07-04-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

Our 2004 has 2 seperate connections outside, did they eliminate one in some newer models?

Our 2009 3400RL 10th Anniv model only has one outside cable connection by the holding tank dump handles.

hunts800 · 07-06-2011, 04:48 AM

I have a 2011 326rls Montana Mountaineer, and even though the hook-ups on the trailer say "satellite/cable", it will not work with a satellite because the coax goes through the antenna booster. I just had a directtv Winnegard Traveller HD antenna mounted on my trailer, and they wired the new satellite antenna to both tv's entirely separate from the factory wiring. To use the existing "air" antenna or an rv park cable tv service, I simply have to put back a short crossover cable (about a 3" cable under the entertainment center) and I am back to the way it came from the factory. Since I am using an HDMI cable for both tv's, the existing coax connections to the tv remain in place. My dealer's technician seemed to be fully conversant on these issues. I have been on two two week trips since the new antenna was installed, and its worth every penny! Have two direct tv HD receiver boxes so if the grandkids are along, I can go in the bedroom and watch the news while they watch the Simpsons!

Up until now, I had been carrying a portable direct tv antenna for use with my former travel trailer, and I had to bypass the antenna booster in order to get that to work, and then reconnect the antenna booster wiring to factory settings if I wanted to use the rv park's cable service.

mazboy · 07-06-2011, 11:58 PM

i had the same problem with my montana....one connection on the outside. a switch cannot work for off air/cable/sat so you have to keep changing cable settings. I do my from above the TV in the living room...it works but at times is a hassel.
send me a message if you want to talk.....

K&Gs3400RL · 07-16-2011, 12:12 PM

We started Living in our Montana last September, About 4 months later we started having trouble with our cable. Comcast had to come out twice to get it fixed. But now when we go camping we have No TV at all trying to use the Antenna. The cable guy made some changes and I have no Idea what he did. I have traced all the cables I can find by removing the plates and gently pulling on them to see if something moves. But I am more confused than ever right now. I tried finding a diagram on the Net but of course Nothing. Called the Service Dept. at the Dealer and he said they don't even get any diagrams from the Mfg. Any suggestions?

Thanks George and Karin

**Carl n Susan** · 07-16-2011, 01:46 PM

Here is a link to the two different TV wiring diagrams used in Montanas
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...ad.php?t=37324

I suspect that even though you have a 2010 Mountaineer, the TV wiring in your unit is still the "old" style with the one satellite/cable RF input port.

I suspect the cable guy stole the cable that comes from the Roof antenna box (usually in the bedroom closet) to the front and connected it directly to the bedroom TV. Just a guess.

The Search function will turn up a number of postings relative to TV wiring diagrams. Use "tv wiring diagram" and variations thereof as search words to find them.

maximo · 07-16-2011, 06:44 PM

Now I am confused. Just today I picked up my 2011 Big Sky 3580RL from the dealer who had the trailer to mount the second air conditioner in the unit. I had asked them to check the way the TV was wired. When I got there I had a copy of the 2009/2010 wiring diagram and had a copy of the pre 09/2010 model diagram in his hand and said the TV was wired that way. He stated they had mounted a toggle switch and the switch one way was for cable TV and the switch the other way was for satellite TV. I hope he is right, I have not been abel to try it yet.

Frank

pineranch · 07-17-2011, 02:51 AM

My satellite installer hijacked my one cable connection at the convience center. I installed another cable jack, a splitter, then connected the two so all I need to do is connect the camp cable to my addition. I use HDMI for satellite at the telly and regular cable to the telly for camp cable. Of course you need to change the source at the telly. I think one needs to investigate what they have on the rig and modify to suit their needs. Now the blade antenna is another mess to figure out.
Mike

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