Best RV Satellite Configuration?
I've read a number of posts about satellite systems for RVs. I know some of the posts are a little dated so I wanted to revisit this subject, taking into account new technology. I have a 2016 Forest R...
Forum Discussion
Since it is your plan to keep cable (good idea, most likely) and you only want satellite service 3 months per year then I would suggest Dish Network and the Pay-As-You-Go service. You can actually pay for 3 months in advance and at the end of that period the service will simply stop. No action required on your part.
As to the antenna, the picture quality will be exactly the same whether you install a Trav'ler, a ground mounted tripod or a dome style antenna like the Winegard Playmaker or the King Controls Tailgater (or any other for that matter). Where there are differences are during moisture related events (clouds, rain, dew, etc.) which are rare in AZ in the Winter. The least expensive antenna setup will be a home style antenna mounted on a good tripod. This is also the least convenient as it takes up a good deal of space while traveling and take 20-30 minutes to setup. If you only go one place for the Winter season this also makes no difference at all. This type antenna will also allow you to use any Dish receiver, DVR, or Hopper.
The dome style antennas work great as long as you only want to use 1 signal tuner receiver. The domes antenna can only "see" 1 of the 3 Dish satellites at the same time so if you have more than 1 receiver or a DVR both tuners must be watching programming coming from the same satellite and this often causes a conflict.
Hope this helps but it should give you a pretty good overview.
As to the antenna, the picture quality will be exactly the same whether you install a Trav'ler, a ground mounted tripod or a dome style antenna like the Winegard Playmaker or the King Controls Tailgater (or any other for that matter). Where there are differences are during moisture related events (clouds, rain, dew, etc.) which are rare in AZ in the Winter. The least expensive antenna setup will be a home style antenna mounted on a good tripod. This is also the least convenient as it takes up a good deal of space while traveling and take 20-30 minutes to setup. If you only go one place for the Winter season this also makes no difference at all. This type antenna will also allow you to use any Dish receiver, DVR, or Hopper.
The dome style antennas work great as long as you only want to use 1 signal tuner receiver. The domes antenna can only "see" 1 of the 3 Dish satellites at the same time so if you have more than 1 receiver or a DVR both tuners must be watching programming coming from the same satellite and this often causes a conflict.
Hope this helps but it should give you a pretty good overview.
