Forum Discussion

stationaryfullt's avatar
stationaryfullt
Explorer
Jul 22, 2014

Dish Network satellite dish choice

I have 2 Dish Network HD DVR receivers I take with me in the camper. Currently, I've been using a Dish 500 dish when out and about to pick up satellites 110 and 119, but I lose the HD channels and locals that are on 129. I also have obstructions to work around in a couple campgrounds I camp in that I think can be resolved by switching to the eastern arc.

That being said, I need to step up to a triple-lnb dish to get 129 while on the road. The 2 major dishes that are commonly available are the 1000.2 and 1000.4. The 1000.4 seems to be preferable because it comes apart easily and has the fine adjustment screws, but the western arc LNB appears to be no longer made. The 1000.2 appears to have an eastern arc LNB available, and they come with the western arc LNB, so that seems to be the way to go. I currently use the 1000.2 WA on my house, so I'm familiar with it's setup and installation.

Am I making the right decision for going with the 1000.2 with the extra eastern arc LNB?
  • I_rv's avatar
    I_rv
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    just get the 1002 ea dish,got mine from ebay ,eastern arc only uses 2 sats.72.7 has all hd and 61.5 is for locals and sd for the most part,sat 77 is pretty much latino ,dish changed my 1004 to the smaller 1002 at my house,i installed the same dish at my fla. site they work perfect.
  • TechWriter's avatar
    TechWriter
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    stationaryfulltimer wrote:
    I need to step up to a triple-lnb dish to get 129 while on the road. The 2 major dishes that are commonly available are the 1000.2 and 1000.4. The 1000.4 seems to be preferable because it comes apart easily and has the fine adjustment screws, but the western arc LNB appears to be no longer made.

    The Western Arc LNB for a 1000.4 is still available:
    - Ebay
    - Satellite Shop

    I use a 1000.4 and bought a complete Western Arc dish and a complete Eastern Arc dish. This makes it easier to switch LNB arms and I have spare parts if (and when) the dish blows over and gets damaged.

    The Eastern Arc LNB for a 1000.2 only acquires sats 61.5 and 72.7, but not 77. While this set up will work in most cases, there are several TV markets where local HD channels are only available on sat 77.
  • stationaryfullt's avatar
    stationaryfullt
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    The Tailgater is out of the question because I have 612 and 722k receivers.

    I was also thinking that my only choice was the 1000.2. What I may do is replace my 1000.2 at home with a 1000.4 and buy the EA LNB for the 1000.2 and use that for camping.
  • ljr's avatar
    ljr
    Nomad
    Jul 22, 2014
    stationaryfulltimer wrote:
    Am I making the right decision for going with the 1000.2 with the extra eastern arc LNB?


    Its doesn't sound like you have much choice if they stopped selling the 1000.4 WA LNB assembly.

    I have a 1000.2 WA I keep as a backup and a 1000.4 WA & EA that I use primarily. The 1000.4 is easier to aim precisely and its larger dish seems to get a better signal. The 1000.2 isn't my first choice but it does the job.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jul 22, 2014
    I have a 1000.2 that works great for all channels including HD, WHEN AND IF I finally can get it aimed. I still carry it, but after getting a Tailgater I almost never use the 1000.2 unless the tailgater gets ornery and doesn't want to find the sats. That is rare, but has happened. But the Tailgater, nice as it is, can only be used with one receiver, and it must be a 211 type receiver.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    Last year we bought a Tailgater antenna, it requires the use of one of two specific receiver boxes but it works well to pick up 110,119 & 129.

    I also have a 3 lnb dish (don't remember the model number) I can mount on a tripod, I haven't used it since getting the tailgater. It will serve two receivers. It's convenient for sites with obstructions. I carry a 200 ft cable which allows me to move the dish away from obstructions in most cases.

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