Manual Winegard Sattelite dish...is it junk

Travelin2 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Yeah, NO! This does not make things easier or better. The problem is that there is no cheap replacement for your antenna other than to remove that and install a new one in its place with all the same drastic limitations from either service.
The least expensive "good" replacement option would be a ground base antenna mounted on a tripod. It works almost exactly as a manual roof mounted unit would but it gets all of the programming from Dish or DirecTV in HD! If you are going to move frequently this can be a real PITA. If you want to spend upwards for $400-$600 there are automatic portable or roof mounted dome style antennas which are great for Dish but still cannot receive DirecTV HD programming. If any of this sounds interesting let me know and I can give you more details about what sounds good to you.

Bill, I do like the idea of having satellite TV as we travel, and would be most interested to hear what system you think would make the most sense cost wise and functionality wise. I am of the mind that the automatic dome that can be mounted on the roof of the RV for transport and use makes the most sense. Are there some that can be uncoupled and moved to the side to avoid obstacles easily, then buckled back on the top mount when leaving?

The only experience I have with using satellite was traveling with a friend on a week long trip. He had an auto satellite dish, one you set on the ground, and every time we stopped for the night, he would spend upwards of a half hour getting that thing to show him a picture. I remember seeing on the screen for long periods "checking the switches" or something like that. We would have our rig all set up and ready to go check things out around the campsite and several times his wife would go along with us on a walk but he would opt out because he had to stay behind and get the satellite working. That's not what it's all about. Is there a system that will show a station by just turning it on and wait maybe 10 minutes or so without all the clicking of the remote he used to do every time we stopped?

I have a good spot on my roof with RG6 cable already in place. The roof is an aluminum framework structure with about 2-3 inches of Styrofoam, then 1/4 inch plywood with a Rubber membrane....What would you put up there? What receiver would you hook it to. Seems like Dish, Pay-as-you-go makes sense???? I appreciate you taking the time to respond to these simpleminded questions of mine...you're a sport. Thanks