Have had Dish For My RV for two years. It is a 30 day, pay as you go service. That means that the minimum period you can activate is 30 days. That 30 days is a set period. Your start day of the 30 days (month) is always the same. Mine is 16-15th of every month. If I let it laps, there are no fees. When I restart it there are no start up fees. If I start it on the 13th of August, I will pay for the 14 of July through the 15th of Aug. If I restart if on 17th of July, I pay for the 14 of July through the 15th of Aug. Set payment periods.
The benefit is that if you do not use it from 16 of Sept to 15, you pay nothing.
You do need specific equipment, though.