I am trying to become literate in the satellite tv arena because I would like to buy one. I need advice. Here is my situation. We travel in a fifth wheel which has a standard bat wing antennae now but is wired for satellite. We live in Montana but generally travel in Az, Ca, Tx and are planning a trip to Alaska in about 2 years. We enjoy HD but don't need it. I would prefer some sort of portable dish rather than a fixed set up because I would like to use it at my summer cabin as well. We are not huge sports fans. So my questions are: Which company would best suit us- Dish or Direct? Would the Tailgator be my best option for the dish? Will any of it work in Canada and Alaska? I thank you in advance for any advice you can share.

There are a lot of places that will sell you a package, ie everything you need to get,setup. IMHO buy an oval dish and tripod from a reputable dealer and plan on HD. Heck go for a DVR too. When it is all setup at home, then simply duplicate that for your RV and cabin. Newer Direct equipment use SWM technology. That is a single wire that carries the signal for two receivers. It does requie a power supply to provide power for the LNB. I simply went with a bit older technology and run 4 wires from the antenna to the two places in my trailer. Works fine for us and saves a few dollars. I guess some day ill have to go SWM, but not right now.A DVR will allow you to record hours of programming without the hassle of commercials. That isrobably 85% of our TV watching so for us it is great.If you go direct be careful on equipment choices. Some of the newest technology is great for home, but can bedifficuly to setup on multiple TV's in a trailer.

We didn't have a LOT of success in picking up satellite (Direct TV) while traveling in Alaska since the birds are so low in the sky that mountains don't have to be that close to block the signal. I have a total of about $50.00 invested in my entire RVing package which includes a mount (made from PVC pipe) and a used dish ($10.00 purchased from an installer) and the satellite signal finder from Radio Shack. The system works well and is easy to set up (takes about 10 minutes total). Not sure just how much better Dish network might be up there, for the same reasons. I actually have BOTH services (Direct on one home and Dish on another) and don't really have a preference for one over the other but it seems like Direct is easier to set up in the campground (guessing as I've never used DISH for that purpose). The have about the same services but different channels so you might do well to sign on to both web sites and go over the SPECIFIC programing you are interested in to be sure they have it. I've found more variety with Direct but if you want specific channels make sure the service you choose actually HAS that particular one.Good luck / Skip

I have Direct TV.. I am not advertising for them however I researched and found this out. There is a "footprint" that the satellites beam towards the USA. They beam it towards the center thus as you reach the out edges the signal gets weaker. When you get higher in latitude towards canada or Alaska the footprint becomes very weak. Since the satellite is in geosynchronous orbit it puts the dish you are using pointing low towards the horizon instead up towards the sky. Remember the horizon is now towards the equator in Alaska or Upper Canada. From what I have read here and other sites you can get a signal from time to time is there are no mountains or other objects blocking the signal from reaching your antenna. With all that said I believe in KISS theory and try to keep my RV simple in the electronics arena. What I mean by that is the less the better it will probably work. Your goal is TV and yes we all want HD and all the bells and whistles but we have to be realistic. Your lucky to get a signal at all much less HD.I have DTV as previously stated. They tried to get me to give up my 4 individual boxes and go with the HD all around GENIE system. Its cheaper and I almost did until I realized I carry a room box with me sometime two. With the GENIE system you cannot take a box from one of the bedrooms or office. I opted with the older system. DTV stated I could rent a box by activating it and deactivating it and only paying for the days used.. Bah too much trouble and too much hassle.One last item, we purchased a Winegard portable DTV dish that is automatic. All I do is set it in the area where it has a decent look at the southern sky and before I can walk back to the RV its locked on the satellite. I dont have to worry about inclination or degrees or skew. All done in seconds.In retrospect, I would guess the footprint of DTV or Dish to be about the same so the provider would be up to you. I think either will do what you want but remember KISS when traveling.

Our home is in the DFW area and therefore our local channels. But when we are outside of our home spot beam I just call Dish and give them a new service address (of where ever we are at the time), they reprogram us to the nearest locals, and about 5 minutes later we can get the network channels from that nearest local city. Great for keeping up with local news and weather.Have no idea how well or if Dish works in Alaska.Check dishformyrv.com.

Sat TV for RVsSetup dish.Dish v Direct 2010 Dish v Direct Aug 2010 Dish v Direct 2011

Satellite tv advice | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

skipnchar
Explorer
May 25, 2013
We didn't have a LOT of success in picking up satellite (Direct TV) while traveling in Alaska since the birds are so low in the sky that mountains don't have to be that close to block the signal. I have a total of about $50.00 invested in my entire RVing package which includes a mount (made from PVC pipe) and a used dish ($10.00 purchased from an installer) and the satellite signal finder from Radio Shack. The system works well and is easy to set up (takes about 10 minutes total). Not sure just how much better Dish network might be up there, for the same reasons. I actually have BOTH services (Direct on one home and Dish on another) and don't really have a preference for one over the other but it seems like Direct is easier to set up in the campground (guessing as I've never used DISH for that purpose). The have about the same services but different channels so you might do well to sign on to both web sites and go over the SPECIFIC programing you are interested in to be sure they have it. I've found more variety with Direct but if you want specific channels make sure the service you choose actually HAS that particular one.
Good luck / Skip
donn0128
Explorer II
May 25, 2013
There are a lot of places that will sell you a package, ie everything you need to get,setup. IMHO buy an oval dish and tripod from a reputable dealer and plan on HD. Heck go for a DVR too. When it is all setup at home, then simply duplicate that for your RV and cabin. Newer Direct equipment use SWM technology. That is a single wire that carries the signal for two receivers. It does requie a power supply to provide power for the LNB. I simply went with a bit older technology and run 4 wires from the antenna to the two places in my trailer. Works fine for us and saves a few dollars. I guess some day ill have to go SWM, but not right now.
A DVR will allow you to record hours of programming without the hassle of commercials. That isrobably 85% of our TV watching so for us it is great.
If you go direct be careful on equipment choices. Some of the newest technology is great for home, but can bedifficuly to setup on multiple TV's in a trailer.

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