DirecTV

Good info, however I believe the OP was asking about DirecTV. The Tailgater is exclusive to DISH only. Just like our Winegard Pathway X1 & X2.

This is going to sound long and complicated but its not.

The DISH Tailgater is $349 and the Reciever is around $99. Get the 211k and not the 211z... The Z does not have a coax output should you want to run a sat line to another TV. (additional tv's will be in SD without HDMI) If you don't think you will go to a second TV the 211Z will work fine.

The Tailgater will find the Sats for you, you will get HD programming and it only requires one cable for signal and power "the coax"

I bought My Tailgater from CW and also bought an additional 3 year in store replacement for around $50 extra. (CW is only advertizing the 211z receiver)

I use a 211k at home so I just take my reciever with me when I go in the RV. I don't have to call Dish or change anything BUT if you want local programming like local news when you get to where your going, you just call dish and they will switch it for you no charge..

Hook up could not be simpler. Once you have signed up with Dish for your programming, Set Tailgater pointing south No obstructions, It comes with 50" of cable so you can pick your best spot.

Connect Coax from Tailgater to back of 211k, Connect Sat reciever to TV via HDMI cable. Set TV to HDMI which ever HDMI slot you plugged into. Plug in Receiver to 110 outlet or inverter and follow on screen instructions like picking what state your in. Setup will begin and in about 5 to 10 minutes you will have HD Sat channels and program guide.

If your rig is not wired for Sat. What I did was I got a exterior RV Coax outlet. I put it on the outside of my rig opposite the TV cabinet. Drilled a hole just big enough to put the coax through, used silicone to seal coax outet and fastend to side of rig with screws provided.

If your worried about this part have CW hook it up for you..

Tailgater
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/DISH-Tailgater-Satellite-Antenna/65148/&?&affiliateid=5193&gclid=CNex8sqi7MICFYZbfgod6J8AeA

Coax Outlet
white or black

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/6/0/4/5/0/4/webimg/592163541_tp.jpg

karmi wrote:
I do appreciate the input, but, see, here is the thing. I don't want to become a satellite TV technician. I just want someone to tell me in plain english what I need. DirecTV doesn't seem to know what is necessary to run their own system. The people selling the antennas talk in SWM and Pl-29's etc. and how one antenna or receiver at home won't be compatible with the antenna or receiver in the RV. I have run into the same problems with trying to get an inverter and solar panels installed in the RV and it is beyond frustrating. We are just normal people with probably slightly above normal skills, I am a form designer and I could create a 12 page form for you on my computer in a few hours (that you could actually fill out) and my husband is a paramedic. We have built an addition on our house, including cutting down the trees and helping at the mill, electric and plumbing, and we can both fix simple problems with our cars. I can't tell you the amount of time we have spent on TV, inverter and solar projects for the RV that seem like they should be pretty simple for someone who is in the business to tell us what we need. Thanks for listening, that rant felt good......

Understood. Unfortunately, satellite antennas and wiring and compatibility (the list goes on) is not just that simple. It can get very complicated depending on what exactly you want. You need to know what the model number is of your DirecTV receivers. Here's the best simple breakdown for you I can give with Winegard products.

If you want HD, your only option is the SK-SWM3 Trav'Ler. You can bring your receivers from home with this satellite antenna, and it should just be a seamless transfer. Meaning you should just be able to take it directly out of the house then start it up without having to change any settings.

If you decide to go with any other Winegard satellite antenna besides the Trav'Ler, it will be in standard definition. The only receivers you will be able to use are these DirecTV receiver model numbers:

H-24
HR-24
H-23
HR-23
H-22
HR-22
H-21
HR-21
H-20
HR-20
D-12
D-11
D-10
R-15
R-16
R-22

All of these previously listed DirecTV receivers will give you your standard definition programming. As you can see, the models all have the number 24 and lower. Any models with the numbers 25 and higher will require a special kit to work with them. Those are these models:

H-25
HR-34(Genie) with C31 clients (mini boxes)
HR-44(Genie) with C41 clients (mini boxes)


Summary:
If you want HD, go with the Trav'Ler SK-SWM3 and bring your home receiver's along. If you have the Genie in your home, make sure to bring your main box(HR-34 or HR-44) along.

If you don't care about getting HD, I would recommend using the portable Carryout G2 with an H24 model DirecTV receiver. If you want to record, use the model HR24.

-La Mar Timmons
Winegard Digital Communications

I do appreciate the input, but, see, here is the thing. I don't want to become a satellite TV technician. I just want someone to tell me in plain english what I need. DirecTV doesn't seem to know what is necessary to run their own system. The people selling the antennas talk in SWM and Pl-29's etc. and how one antenna or receiver at home won't be compatible with the antenna or receiver in the RV. I have run into the same problems with trying to get an inverter and solar panels installed in the RV and it is beyond frustrating. We are just normal people with probably slightly above normal skills, I am a form designer and I could create a 12 page form for you on my computer in a few hours (that you could actually fill out) and my husband is a paramedic. We have built an addition on our house, including cutting down the trees and helping at the mill, electric and plumbing, and we can both fix simple problems with our cars. I can't tell you the amount of time we have spent on TV, inverter and solar projects for the RV that seem like they should be pretty simple for someone who is in the business to tell us what we need. Thanks for listening, that rant felt good......

docj wrote:

No offense to the good folks at Winegard, but the same parts can be obtained for significantly less if you buy them from Amazon. All that's needed is a SWM8 switch and a PI-29 power inserter.

Winegard provides the necessary instructions here: Using Winegard satellite hardware with SWM

None Taken :D

Winegard1 wrote:
Just wanting to add some input here.

All HD receivers can get standard definition as long as DirecTV is broadcasting the channel you want to watch in standard definition. This receiver compatibility list with all our DirecTV satellite antennas should also be a help to everyone here.

http://www.winegard.com/directv/satellite-antennas.php

If you have the Genie at home, and want to use it with any other Winegard satellite antenna that is not the SK-SWM3, you will need a SWM kit. We sell it for $189.99 and the model number is SWM-840. This will allow you to use the Genie, or any other SWM-only receiver box with a non-SWM satellite antenna.

No offense to the good folks at Winegard, but the same parts can be obtained for significantly less if you buy them from Amazon. All that's needed is a SWM8 switch and a PI-29 power inserter.

Winegard provides the necessary instructions here: Using Winegard satellite hardware with SWM

Just wanting to add some input here.

All HD receivers can get standard definition as long as DirecTV is broadcasting the channel you want to watch in standard definition. This receiver compatibility list with all our DirecTV satellite antennas should also be a help to everyone here.

http://www.winegard.com/directv/satellite-antennas.php

If you have the Genie at home, and want to use it with any other Winegard satellite antenna that is not the SK-SWM3, you will need a SWM kit. We sell it for $189.99 and the model number is SWM-840. This will allow you to use the Genie, or any other SWM-only receiver box with a non-SWM satellite antenna.

Thank you for starting this thread. Very helpful but very confusing. For us it's been trial and error - probably more error. Plus DirecTv reps are not very helpful. Starting from scratch with what we now know would go with Dish and Wineguard.

Thanks everyone for your input. We decided to cancel the DirecTV contract for now until we can do a little more research. We don't need it for a while anyway, we won't be 6 month full-timing until next October, but thought we would have one thing done. Anyone have any preferences for satellite TV plans?

If anyone is thinking about a new DirecTV contract at this time, Sams Club is giving a $300 gift card if you sign up there before January 5th. It was a pretty good deal and for us would have paid for most of the first year.

hershey wrote:
Your question: " My probably dumb question is, will we still get the HD channels in SD or will we lose all the channels that are in HD? (BTW, customer service at DirecTV can not answer this question and it does not make me feel very comfortable with the company in general.)"
You will still continue to receive HD broadcasts on SD DirecTV system. They just will be shown as SD. Thats exactly what I do. I use a cheap 18" dish and stick a pipe in the ground and I'm good to go.

Your SD channels are always present. However, most people with HD set the Guide display to "Hide SD Duplicates". This makes it seem as if the SD channels aren't there. If you use a dome that doesn't get HD just go to Menu/Settings/Display/Preferences and change the setting to "Show All Channels"