Thinking about a mounted satellite dish

TomB. wrote:
The wife & I are planning our first trip in our 1999 Winnebago Adventurer later this month. We are currently stocking the coach With whatever we think it needs. So in a spare moment of time I find a roof mounted satellite dish offered in Camping World...
My question is how prevalent is satellite TV offered in campgrounds? Do I spend the money on this or not? Thanks for your insight on this. TomB

We find that cable is common but still Sat. service is our preference. We went many years with only park cable but the station selection can be a bit iffy.

Can't always rely on campground connections.
If you have satellite at your house, get a portable automatic dish that is compatible with the receiver.
We have an early Winegard carry out. The newer version of their automatic is smaller and would fit in a compartment. Ours does not so I carry in in toad. A portable allows you to work around trees and the like to get signal. An automatic makes it nicer to setup.

Some campgrounds have cable but it is often pretty minimal. I would recommend you get an external dish and not mount one on the roof. We find that we have trees blocking the roof mounted dish a considerable amount of the time. We purchased the Pathway X2 and the stand. So far, it is working very well. We purchased a 50 foot low loss cable and we can add another 50 foot if needed.

TomB. wrote:
my question is how prevalent is satellite TV offered in campgrounds?

Cable, yes. Satellite, no.

I though about the mounted one but brought the winegard carry out.Glad I did some campground the trees can mess up the signal.So with longer cable I can move it.By being auto matic that makes it much easier.

My slim line dish and tri pod works very well.Yes at time it may take few minutes to fine all 3 satelite. I am sticking with my tri pod. Good luck witch way you go.

Personally I would pass on the roof mounted dish and get a carryout. The former owner of my coach installed the roof dish on my coach and more time then not the line of sight to the service provider satellites is blocked by trees, hills or other objects. A carry out is much less in cost and gives you the flexibility of placing the antenna in an area that allows a clear view of the satellites.

We prefer the subscription service over CG cable. Known channel line up, on screen guide and the DVR capability. Also most of our stops are in government parks that don't offer cable.

TomB. wrote:
The wife & I are planning our first trip in our 1999 Winnebago Adventurer later this month . . . So in a spare moment of time I find a roof mounted satellite dish offered in Camping World...
My question is how prevalent is satellite TV offered in campgrounds? Do I spend the money on this or not?

Since it's your 1st trip, I'd say no.

After that trip, if you really miss TV, get a Winegard Travler (your most expensive option).

This is the one that I would select if in the market. I am too cheap to replace my current Carryout.
Winegard Carryout

I too would be against mounting a DISH on the roof. They only work good with a clear view of the southern skies. I would want to be under a good ole shade tree.

The carryout with a 100-foot RG cable would be a better idea for us.

Also don't rule out the NATIONAL BROADCAST network now since FCC has moved it to DIGITAL MODE. We use out OTA BATWING ROOF ANTENNA to pick up local high def HDTV from the local towns. These are transmitted now in FULL HIGH DEF digital mode and free to the public.

When we had the SAT TV it was only the standard mode TV and the full high def HDTV from the local towns was much better TV to view... Actually that is all we use now even when we are at campgrounds with CABLE CONNECTIONs...

Play with it at home in the driveway and see how well using your OTA BATWING antenna works for you...

Roy Ken