First time user satellite TV questions

jesseannie wrote:
Thanks Don we really not fanatical TV watchers but enjoy the series like NCIS, blue bloods etc. I am a news junky. I would like to keep it as simple as possible on the equipment side even if we sacrifice some quality in the picture
So what are some brands to look for or do I get it all through a sat provider?
Jesseannie

recievers are either DISH, DirecTV or RF Mogul (RF Mogul makes both DISH and DTV equipment). quality in picture depends on your TV (analog or digital)...presumably you have a newer digital set. if that's the case unless you pay for HD you'll get SD TV from the sat providers (720p) which is good.

suggest you stick with DISH or RF Mogul. RF Mogul sells compatible DISH equipment, knows RVs and RVers and can provide a turn-key solution including installation should you wish it. Another authorized re-seller is Solid Signals (1-877-312-4547). I would avoid the local DISH outlets...kiosks in the mall, store fronts, etc and DISH itself simply because they may not understand unique needs of RVers.

If you select Dish pay as you go, or a Dish subscription, almost any of the portable automatic domes will work. Best? Place to buy? Search online. There are several decent brands with different features. IMHO stay away from anything made by Winegard. I have had enough issues with them that I simply do not suggest them to anyone. Personally I dont use a dome as I have Direct and use either an automatic roof top or a ground based open face dish depending on the situation.
Hope things work out for you on your upcoming move to full time.
Since your already in an apartment, you probably dont have much junk to get rid of. Dont make the mistake of putting stuff in storage. Sell or give away everything you wont take with you. Storage fees can far outweigh the cost to replace stuff.

Now I use a house Dish antenna and set it up myself. It's not hard to do. Satellite is only 23000 miles away. This year I could not find the high definition satellite 129. If I could do it over from the beginning I would get a dome that finds the birds on its own.

Thanks Don we really not fanatical TV watchers but enjoy the series like NCIS, blue bloods etc. I am a news junky. I would like to keep it as simple as possible on the equipment side even if we sacrifice some quality in the picture
So what are some brands to look for or do I get it all through a sat provider?
Jesseannie

As it pertains to satellite service just RV usage, Dish Network provides an abundant of programming that can be turned off and on as needed. Check the link for available offers and equipment. We have Dish at home and simply set up our own sat. antenna mounted on a tripod to get every channel we subscribe to.

‘easy’ and ‘user friendly’ can mean different things to different people. an automatic satellite antenna either portable or roof mounted will simplify things for you. if portable...carry it out, connect the cable and push a button. if rooftop...push a button. each has pros and cons. portable... can be moved in case trees block a rooftop antenna but where do you keep it when traveling? a rooftop unit won’t walk away in the middle of the night. portable antennas MAY not receive HD programmng but may be easier to service when needed.

then you’ll need a receiver compatible with the antenna and not all rcvrs are compatible with all antennas. iDISH has a pay-as-you-go plan; DirecTV does not. monthly service can be as expensive as you want but budget a minimum of $50 p/m. and several hundred to several thousand dollars for an antenna/receiver depending on models and capabilities (DVR?, 1-TV or multiple TVs watching the same or different programming?).

Easy, part time Dish pay as you go. For your situation? What do you want? Sports, DirecTV offers better sports packages. Otherwise its kind of a toss up. Dish because of its setup allows you to use a portable dome and still get HD programing. DirecTV you would need a open faced oval dish, either automatic roof or ground tripod based for HD programing. With both you will loose local channels once you go outside the local spot beam area.