TV antenna

SCVJeff wrote:
Measure them vertically if looking at size difference. The size of the SL5 horizontally is only because of the need to pick up several birds across the arc. I keep an old portable 18" around when the Traveler is tree challenged, and it's happened. Personally I wouldn't buy a Carryout for Directv, 101 is a snap to find. Might be useful with Dish tho.

Yup! The Carryout is very useful to get all three (one at a time) Dish satellites and get HD too.

Measure them vertically if looking at size difference. The size of the SL5 horizontally is only because of the need to pick up several birds across the arc. I keep an old portable 18" around when the Traveler is tree challenged, and it's happened. Personally I wouldn't buy a Carryout for Directv, 101 is a snap to find. Might be useful with Dish tho.

67Cutlass wrote:

cdl2 wrote:
An automatic carry out makes more sense, most of the camp grounds have lot's of tree's.

I've been quite surprised the performance of the Travler. We've been to some really wooded COE campgrounds in South Carolina. I didn't think the Travler would work for all the tree coverage, but it managed to pickup 2 of the 3 Dish satellites. Honestly I haven't used the Carryout since getting the Travler installed.

But the Carryout is a great backup or a good primary satellite antenna.

That is because of the size for the traveler. The dome antennas only have a dish that is approximately 12" and I believe the Traveler dish is 32" across. The larger dish is able to capture more of the signal.

cdl2 wrote:
An automatic carry out makes more sense, most of the camp grounds have lot's of tree's.

I've been quite surprised the performance of the Travler. We've been to some really wooded COE campgrounds in South Carolina. I didn't think the Travler would work for all the tree coverage, but it managed to pickup 2 of the 3 Dish satellites. Honestly I haven't used the Carryout since getting the Travler installed.

But the Carryout is a great backup or a good primary satellite antenna.

An automatic carry out makes more sense, most of the camp grounds have lot's of tree's.

cdl2 wrote:
I do have a dish on a tripod, but I have trouble aiming it too.
Seems I have a signal meter around here some where.
I'm not sure I wanna spend $80 for the SensorPro, unless it really helps a lot.
Thanks

I am so satellite aiming challenged. It would literately take me hours to get all three satellites for Dish. I tried satellite aiming scopes, signal strength meters too, never worked for me. I gave up years ago and got a Winegard Carryout. There are other automatic satellite antenna out there at better prices.

If you can afford one I suggest getting one. It is so nice to turn it on and within a few minutes have your receiver getting satellite signals. You won't regret it.

Save the $70 for the SensarPro and put it towards and automatic satellite antenna.

I do have a dish on a tripod, but I have trouble aiming it too.
Seems I have a signal meter around here some where.
I'm not sure I wanna spend $80 for the SensorPro, unless it really helps a lot.
Thanks

dodge guy wrote:

SCVJeff wrote:

67Cutlass wrote:
Back to the OP's original question.

He asked which is better. Satellite or an OTA antenna. He didn't seam to indicated getting the max OTA channels was his goal. If he wants good OTA channels, then get the satellite system working and use the local channels that are available on it. When he moves just have his provider change the local channels. Those will always be available on the satellite.

Yes I know there are times satellite signal is blocked by trees and such. But there is also OTA problems with distance and masking too.

I've been RVing for 13 years, traveled ALL over the US and there has never been a time I did not get some type of satellite reception.

I don't remember the last time I even tried getting OTA channels.

We've been communicating about his OTA antennas, amps, coax, etc., via PM. Its been mentioned elsewhere here that OTA is as good as satellite, but in fact is significantly better than any satellite service. Those with a big screen and critical eye will notice it immediately.

That is one thing I will agree on. OTA has way better picture quality. I have U-verse and I can definitely tell the difference.

Back to the OP's question...
Which is better? The question refers to reception of an OTA signal not picture quality. Getting OTA signals in rural America can be a royal PITA. Satellite is the more consistent signal. You can get that anywhere. I'm not a videophile and the difference in overall picture quality is not that big of a deal. Now if I had and 80 inch HDTV in my motorhome, then I might be concerned about the difference in picture quality.

SCVJeff wrote:

67Cutlass wrote:
Back to the OP's original question.

He asked which is better. Satellite or an OTA antenna. He didn't seam to indicated getting the max OTA channels was his goal. If he wants good OTA channels, then get the satellite system working and use the local channels that are available on it. When he moves just have his provider change the local channels. Those will always be available on the satellite.

Yes I know there are times satellite signal is blocked by trees and such. But there is also OTA problems with distance and masking too.

I've been RVing for 13 years, traveled ALL over the US and there has never been a time I did not get some type of satellite reception.

I don't remember the last time I even tried getting OTA channels.

We've been communicating about his OTA antennas, amps, coax, etc., via PM. Its been mentioned elsewhere here that OTA is as good as satellite, but in fact is significantly better than any satellite service. Those with a big screen and critical eye will notice it immediately.

That is one thing I will agree on. OTA has way better picture quality. I have U-verse and I can definitely tell the difference.

67Cutlass wrote:
Back to the OP's original question.

He asked which is better. Satellite or an OTA antenna. He didn't seam to indicated getting the max OTA channels was his goal. If he wants good OTA channels, then get the satellite system working and use the local channels that are available on it. When he moves just have his provider change the local channels. Those will always be available on the satellite.

Yes I know there are times satellite signal is blocked by trees and such. But there is also OTA problems with distance and masking too.

I've been RVing for 13 years, traveled ALL over the US and there has never been a time I did not get some type of satellite reception.

I don't remember the last time I even tried getting OTA channels.

We've been communicating about his OTA antennas, amps, coax, etc., via PM. Its been mentioned elsewhere here that OTA is as good as satellite, but in fact is significantly better than any satellite service. Those with a big screen and critical eye will notice it immediately.