Attaching a playmaker dish satellite - Montana Owners Club

dakotaheritge · 03-09-2021, 08:17 AM

We're new to the Montana and I was wondering how I connect my small satellite dish to the fifth wheel. I see 2 connections on the outside and one in back of the TV in the living area. I wasn't able to connect using these connections so I had to go through a window in the back. I must be doing something wrong--any suggestions?

**AZ Traveler** · 03-09-2021, 10:17 AM

Patty,

Welcome to the forum!

Direct cable like you are doing is the best for the low power small sat dish. There is typically a lot of line loss when trying to run the power through the multiuser connectors.

dakotaheritge · 03-09-2021, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

Patty,

Welcome to the forum!

Direct cable like you are doing is the best for the low power small sat dish. There is typically a lot of line loss when trying to run the power through the multiuser connectors.

Thank you, so there isn't another solution other than running the cable through the back window? Wow, I thought I could use the connections on the fifth wheel, no wonder it wouldn't connect. I also had a problem with the cable at the last park, it showed the stations but extremely fuzzy???

**AZ Traveler** · 03-09-2021, 10:43 AM

Patty,

A lot of folks run a dedicated line through one of the slide walls.

Do you have a new rig with KeyTV or does it have the antenna booster switch? If switched the booster needs to be on for over the air TV and off for cable.

432bartman · 03-09-2021, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakotaheritge

Thank you, so there isn't another solution other than running the cable through the back window? Wow, I thought I could use the connections on the fifth wheel, no wonder it wouldn't connect. I also had a problem with the cable at the last park, it showed the stations but extremely fuzzy???

That's the only way, hence the reason we got rid of it. For not full timing, that dish was a pain to setup and get signal, even though we would have clear skies. Now we just use the cable box from the RV park or our personal hotspot device, which works great with the new smart TV.

**Carl n Susan** · 03-09-2021, 11:22 AM

It will help a lot if you tell us what year and model Montana you have. The satellite connections have changed over the years and knowing the year/model aids us in answering you.

Some of the portable antennas have cable length restrictions which can be exceeded using the on-board cabling. There have been more than a few cases of bad cable ends, missconnected cables, splitters, and loose connections which cause problems. Many members have just said forget it (the onboard cabling) and route a cable through the window/wall/slide edge.

dieselguy · 03-09-2021, 11:28 AM

In response to reply five, I guess we all have different experiences with satellite tv. There are too many splitters and bad connectors in the OEM factory coax runs. I installed a thru-wall connector behind the TV and have enjoyed virtually effortless satellite setup for years. We're using the Pathway X2.

GAinaMontana · 03-09-2021, 07:03 PM

Dakota, Check your antenna booster. It needs to be turned off when using cable. If not turned off you will get extreme fuzziness.

twindman · 03-10-2021, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselguy

In response to reply five, I guess we all have different experiences with satellite tv. There are too many splitters and bad connectors in the OEM factory coax runs. I installed a thru-wall connector behind the TV and have enjoyed virtually effortless satellite setup for years. We're using the Pathway X2.

Exactly what I did also. I think maybe dieselguy gave me advice!! I now have a waterproof connection and have about a 3 foot run of cable on the inside and most of the time, I can use a 50 ft run outside.

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