Direct TV - Pro's/Con's RV Mobile vs Home 'second room'

2oldman wrote:
I get both east and west coast feeds, and have for quite some time. I changed packages last year, and was told I cannot get one or the other..it must be both.

And this is what I get as well...and have for a long time...maybe grandfathered??

Smitty77 wrote:

haddy1 wrote:
Just curious. Why did you choose the RFM over the Winegard Travler?

I feel either dish would serve us well, and many happy owners of both.

I looked over both RF Mogul and Trav'ler and I feel the build construction and base were a bit better on the RF Mogul. With the recent price increase on Trav'ler, the cost difference narrowed. Toss in the ability to change over providers, and remove a component module to send in for assistance if ever needed - is why I decided to go with the RF Mogul. From what I read while researching, either company provides great support.

Smitty

I wanted to update that we did end up going with the Winegard Trav'ler. For two reasons:

1) My RV technician said he gives the tech support staff at Winegard a solid B to B+ grade. He felt that RF Mogul rated a C or sometimes a C-, depending upon the luck of the call

2) Same tech, is more familiar with Trav'ler. He said his opinion was that my opinion was a bit 'off' on the quality seeming better on the RF Mogul. And he had never had a problem with the Trav'ler 'shifting in winds'. Out of over 150+ Trav'ler installs that he has done. (The shop probably has installed over 500 of them.) He'd only had one owner that had a problem after the install that required removal and replacement of the Trav'ler - from a Winegard caused reason. (Said he'd removed and replace and repaired the roof of some that had made 'sudden impact'... with obstacles.)

And yes, it's less expensive too...

So I 'flipped flop' on what I was going to do, and updated this thread to share this Tech's opinion. I like and respect the man, had also worked as a trouble shooter for National before they went away... A good person he be.)

Best to all,
Smitty

Executive wrote:
FCC rules state you may NOT get both...it's an either/or situation NOW. Either East Coast or West Coast but NOT BOTH.......just for clarification....Dennis

I have had DNS East on my home system for over ten years.

I live in the Antelope Valley, 35 miles from the Los Angeles transmitter site for all television stations, but am 'shaded' from their signal by local mountains.

The West Coast DNS stations are my locals.

I get both east and west coast feeds, and have for quite some time. I changed packages last year, and was told I cannot get one or the other..it must be both.

haddy1 wrote:
Just curious. Why did you choose the RFM over the Winegard Travler?

I feel either dish would serve us well, and many happy owners of both.

I looked over both RF Mogul and Trav'ler and I feel the build construction and base were a bit better on the RF Mogul. With the recent price increase on Trav'ler, the cost difference narrowed. Toss in the ability to change over providers, and remove a component module to send in for assistance if ever needed - is why I decided to go with the RF Mogul. From what I read while researching, either company provides great support.

Smitty

Just curious. Why did you choose the RFM over the Winegard Travler?

Thanks for the input!

I did find, amazed my earlier Google searches missed this, a DirecTV Equipment comparison grid. Looks like Genie is the unit with the highest HD capacity of 200 hours, and provides other wireless connectivity if we decide to add another TV zone in the RV later.

I also appreciated the thought about just bringing the unit into the Sticks & Bricks home when we are visiting our 'Vacation Home'. I see used DirecTV dishes for sale on Craigslist all of the time - heck, some for free if I come remove them:)!

My wife and I enjoy watching NFL games when traveling. Help me understand the packages. I see Choice package, will it not show NFL games that are played on say NBC, CBS, FOX, ESPN? Or do I have to also get the NFL Sunday Ticket? I see the Red Zone is available in the Max package, but dang it sure adds up cost wise, have never used Red Zone - opinions on if it is worth the extra coin?

And finally, what's the story on the Internet? Does DirecTV provide another connection to the internet that is actually viable for RV surfing, and streaming usage? For example, could I stream a feed to my Ruku3?

TIA again - and boy, I thought the government could take what should be a simple topic and confuse the heck out of it... This, along with our experience with TWC packages, still is a cut above what the government can do to confuse things:)!
Smitty

Dennis is correct you have to choose either east or west coast. With a mobile account you will be able to get local channels everywhere in the US. By claiming you are in a small town over 100 miles from a large city direct will let you have the local channels for that city. It's much easier to change your local location with a mobile account than a home account.

FCC rules state you may NOT get both...it's an either/or situation NOW. Either East Coast or West Coast but NOT BOTH.......just for clarification....Dennis

DirecTV offers a service called Distant network Service,, Now, most houses in the US (There are exceptions) do not qualify, they get "local Network Service" only (local TV stations).

LOCAL stations are spot beamed, (think of a spot light shining on the area of your house) if you drive out of the beam,, which by the way can be 300-600 miles wide, you are.. well,,, in the dark.

BUT with the RV account (And use the spare receivers in your home) you qualify for Distant Network Service, a slight additional fee, you get either NYC area or Los Angles network stations (or both which is really nice cause that means you get two shots at prime time) and you get them anywhere with the possible exception of Alaska (IF you get DirecTV, you get network) So you can watch the latest episode of your favorite un-reality TV show, or CSI, or Bones, or NCIS.

Alas, Dish network was a bit free and easy with those waviers a few years back (So is Direct but there are a few political issues) and got sued, Dish reached agreement with ABC, NBC, CBS and all but FOX, and now DISH can not offer DNS. This may, or may not, be resolved down the road, but for now it is a pain in the bytes for Dish customers.