Satellite Antennas - Old Fashioned Dish
I am looking to buy equipment to receive satellite broadcasts via Dish network. We would only use it 3-4 times a year so I am leaning towards the old fashioned dish vs a portable unit. Specifically a ...
Forum Discussion
Whether Directv or Dish network, we always purchase the same sat dish we have mounted on our roof at home from an online source. Currently with Dish network and we use the same dish you posted above along with a couple of VIP receivers.
With an open view of the southern sky we can be up and running in minutes, literally. Takes longer to unwind coax, plumb tripod, and mount sat dish than the acquisition of all 3 sats, the actual pointing process takes just a couple of minutes, including tweaks to improve signal strength.
Of course with tree cover or other hindrances to the southern sky it takes a few minutes longer, we carry enough coax to lock in pretty much anywhere we RV. Stand/tripod must be plumb for HD, not quite as critical for SD since only a single sat in needed.
I'm not sure where some struggle locating satellites, the receiver clearly indicates the settings for elevation, azimuth, and tilt if attempting to acquire all subscribed programming across the 3 satellites. There are some useful sat finder apps although we just use a compass.
Regardless of satellite service provider, we lock in and peak center satellite using compass and varying tone pitch from receiver. With Dish network we then run multi-switch test, once completed all 3 sats should be locked in according to receiver's signal strength meter.
To avoid any issues that prolong the process, ensure coax is in good condition and all connection points are tight. Also ensure stand/tripod and all dish specific settings are tight to eliminate any chance of movement or sag. Practice at home to become familiar with the process.
We would go with a portable dome but they don't do Directv in HD, and they are limited to how many receivers and which channels can be viewed at the same time from each receiver. Switching between satellites is aggravating, we want every receiver to have every channel just like at home.
On our next new rig, we will opt to have the Winegard Traveler mounted on the roof so we can enjoy all the channels that we subscribe to with less fuss, we do lots of forest camping and we'll continue to bring our HD sat dish and tripod with us for those RVing scenarios.
With an open view of the southern sky we can be up and running in minutes, literally. Takes longer to unwind coax, plumb tripod, and mount sat dish than the acquisition of all 3 sats, the actual pointing process takes just a couple of minutes, including tweaks to improve signal strength.
Of course with tree cover or other hindrances to the southern sky it takes a few minutes longer, we carry enough coax to lock in pretty much anywhere we RV. Stand/tripod must be plumb for HD, not quite as critical for SD since only a single sat in needed.
I'm not sure where some struggle locating satellites, the receiver clearly indicates the settings for elevation, azimuth, and tilt if attempting to acquire all subscribed programming across the 3 satellites. There are some useful sat finder apps although we just use a compass.
Regardless of satellite service provider, we lock in and peak center satellite using compass and varying tone pitch from receiver. With Dish network we then run multi-switch test, once completed all 3 sats should be locked in according to receiver's signal strength meter.
To avoid any issues that prolong the process, ensure coax is in good condition and all connection points are tight. Also ensure stand/tripod and all dish specific settings are tight to eliminate any chance of movement or sag. Practice at home to become familiar with the process.
We would go with a portable dome but they don't do Directv in HD, and they are limited to how many receivers and which channels can be viewed at the same time from each receiver. Switching between satellites is aggravating, we want every receiver to have every channel just like at home.
On our next new rig, we will opt to have the Winegard Traveler mounted on the roof so we can enjoy all the channels that we subscribe to with less fuss, we do lots of forest camping and we'll continue to bring our HD sat dish and tripod with us for those RVing scenarios.
