Satelite Tv Fulltiming

Keep in mind that certain receivers require specific antenna equipment. If you want to be a Dish Network customer and use a Hopper, you must use a Trav'ler or a standard home style triple LNB antenna mounted on a tripod which you assemble/disassemble and point at each new location.
Dish also specifically states that they do not recommend and will not support a Hopper in an RV (the reason Winegard has that policy related to the Hopper). That does not mean it won't work but they appear to be concerned that movement in an RV while the 2TB hard drive is moving could cause damage.
For DirecTV, the comparable unit to the Hopper would be the Genie. The Genie will work with just about anything but requires the DirecTV SWM technology. The Trav'ler has this built in as does a ground mounted manual home TV antenna. The DirecTV technology does not allow the reception of their HDTV programming by any other style antenna so you could use a dome style antenna, add the SWM hardware and use the Genie but all of the programming will be in SD only.

Bill.Satellite wrote:

Dish also specifically states that they do not recommend and will not support a Hopper in an RV (the reason Winegard has that policy related to the Hopper).

Where does DISH say this, Bill?

Also, the only thing I could find on Winegard's site about using Hoppers was this quote:

The new DISH Hopper and Joey receivers require the use of DISH Pro Plus equipment and other accessories not provided with Winegard satellite systems. Winegard recommends the 211z receiver for use in an RV or Mobile environment.

So since Winegard doesn't sell those "other accessories", Winegard recommends using a different receiver. How convenient.

Winegard does not want to sell something specifically listed as not to be used by RVers. If you look at a Hopper as it comes out of the box it says "Do not move while plugged in". They are talking about not moving the box in your house, much less driving down the road and beating the bejesus out of the box. Dish does not want the hard drive to break. If you don't believe me, call Dish and tell them you want to have a Hopper installed in your RV. Let me know how that goes.
The only thing needed to make a Hopper work in an RV is a Trav'ler (or home DPP LNB antenna) and a Solo Node. The Solo Node is the thing that Winegard does not sell but it's readily available most anywhere.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Winegard does not want to sell something specifically listed as not to be used by RVers. If you look at a Hopper as it comes out of the box it says "Do not move while plugged in".

That's why we disconnect power to it when driving -- as with any hard-drive based DVR. This does not say that you should not use a Hopper in an RV.

Bill.Satellite wrote:

They are talking about not moving the box in your house, much less driving down the road and beating the bejesus out of the box. Dish does not want the hard drive to break. If you don't believe me, call Dish and tell them you want to have a Hopper installed in your RV. Let me know how that goes.

Here you go, Bill. This is a saved DISH Customer Support conversation I just had. DISH would like you to use the 211 receivers, but they're ok with Hoppers.

Again, who told you that DISH does not support using a Hopper in an RV?

We have a DTV Genie system with HD DVR in our unit, and it was installed by a Direct TV installer...if I'm not mistaken it is basically the same system as the Dish Hopper system...no problem in several years of dragging it around the country.

Techwriter, Dish specifically states that the Hopper should not be moved while plugged in. That's where the Dish resistance comes in when being used in an RV. If it's powered off the hard drive will park itself and it's safe. That does not necessarily change the Dish policy. If you want to use an online chat with someone who may or may not know what they are talking about, please feel free to do so. However, if your hard drive crashes and you have them come do a service call in your RV please let me know how that goes.
For the sake of argument, let's say I am giving the wrong info. I like to stay on the safe side.

Could the difference be just a matter of semantics? I know Dish, and at least some dealers, will not do or support a Hopper RV installation, but I had no problem getting a self installed purchased Hopper and Joey activated on my existing 211k account for my coach via a DIRT representative. So it seems that while they do not support the installation and will not supply the equipment free with a contract, they don't object to activating subscriber owned equipment installed in RV's on a month to month account.