Satalite dishes

texasAUtiger wrote:

Thank you! This is very helpful information.

Do you have an opinion on roof mounting it vs just carrying it out while camping? I guess I'd be worried about securing it if left on the ground, so no one stole it.

We used the Pathway X2 for the first year we fulltimed. It was never stolen. Sometimes, if staying a while, we threw it up on the roof if there were no trees. Often, we just put it somewhere close to the RV and didn't worry about it. We only locked it to the RV once when we were in a sketchy campground for a night. But, you can't permanently mount an X2 to the roof.

dahkota wrote:

texasAUtiger wrote:

Thank you! This is very helpful information.

Do you have an opinion on roof mounting it vs just carrying it out while camping? I guess I'd be worried about securing it if left on the ground, so no one stole it.

We used the Pathway X2 for the first year we fulltimed. It was never stolen. Sometimes, if staying a while, we threw it up on the roof if there were no trees. Often, we just put it somewhere close to the RV and didn't worry about it. We only locked it to the RV once when we were in a sketchy campground for a night. But, you can't permanently mount an X2 to the roof.

Also keep in mind that the domes, including the X2, can only be used with a limited number of receivers. The multi-tuner DVR receivers like the 3 tuner and 16 tuner Dish Hoppers only work with larger multi-LNB dishes.

First both domes and Dishes come in multiple models.. But here is the short form

The proper model DISH.. (The one that matches your service and receivers) WORKS, period, but only when parked, One Receiver, Two Receivers, 3,4,5,6,7,8 it works (NOTE a dual channel DVR is 2 receivers) It works, period, no questions ask provided the standard conditions are met.

Standard conditions: 1: NOT parked under (or in the shade of) the evil signal eating tree
2: Properly deployed, workign and set up and locked on.

3: No problems "Upstairs" (in space) or on the ground (Satellite service end) (NOTE: 3 is "NOT YOUR PROBLEM" since you do not own any of that hardware)

Domes.. Domes come in 2x2xN flavors

First 2: Stationary (No advantage over a dish) or In-Motion (Able to receive while you are going down the highway)

Second 2: Single or dual LNB... DUAL does not mean two lnb's like a Dish 500 Dish, (that is a twin) Dual means two outputs on a single LNB, one for odd transponders, one for even,, This is needed if you run multiple receivers. and I suggest you make sure you get a dual.

The N.. Some older domes can lock on one satellite, but if you need to change focus for any reason YOU have to commend it to happen (Push button(s))

Some can pick 2 different birds under receiver control

Some 3 (or more) also under receiver control.. MOST modern domes are like this.

NOTE: A Dome can only see one satellite at a time and that bird, as I recall is broadcating in the KU band (KA is also used) they can not see KA.


Now we get to services

Dish uses 3 satellites for both SD (2) and HD (all 3) in the KU band. A dome works very well with a SINGLE receiver.. You will not be happy with multiple receivers and a dome

Direc: uses KU band for SD and KA for HD if I recall correctly (may have that convused the two) So Domes can only get SD.. WHile it lasts.. Direct has announced they are discontinuing SD

My recommendation: If you do not need In-Motion.. A Dish type antenna. and a 2nd Dish on a tripod for cases of "Evil Signal Eating Tree" and an A/B switch in the LNB line.. A(bove) and B(elow) switch.. Get it.. These are cheap, 10 bucks or less generally.