satellite TV for RV'ers

We also have the VIP211k receiver and a Pathway X2 for the RV. We just added it to our existing account for $7/mo. as indicated in previous posts. It was advantageous for us because we're in Texas for 6 months out of the year and also use the RV for week-long getaways during the summer. Using the Dish Anywhere app allows me to watch programs, recorded or live, from my receiver in the sticks & bricks. I paid the $40 one-time fee to connect an external hard drive to the VIP211k receiver in the RV so I can record programs if I wish. However, you can only record/watch one program at a time with this feature. The Dish Anywhere app also allows me to set my receiver at the house for recording several programs at once. Hope this helps.

I have a Tailgater + Dish service at home and don't understand why people say buy an extra VIP211 receiver and pay an extra $7 per month. You just remove a house receiver by unplugging the coax cable, unplug the HDMI cable, and unplug the receiver power from your outlet. Take the receiver to the RV. Reverse procedure when you return home. I keep those extra dollars for something else. We have two receivers at home so nobody goes without.

Ron3rd wrote:
Casi,
Whatever you do, listen to Bill.Satellite.

X2 on this.

I full time and have the Winegard Pathway X2. It's automatic, has a slightly larger antenna then the Tailgater (no disrespect intended) and can access either the DISH eastern arc or western arc satellites. It also has two cable outputs so you can run cables to 2 TVs. This allows you to watch different channels as long as they come off the same satellite.

In 2 years I can think of only 1 or 2 times that I could not get a signal and both times it was because of tall trees all around me. You will be able to get Dish just about all the time even at higher latitudes. I do recommend a tripod as that does gain you a few feet elevation and also keeps the sat dish off the ground (think heavy rain).

If you have an Apple phone, I highly recommend the dishformyRV app. It costs $5 and works great. These portable sat receivers are automatic but it helps to set them on the ground with a good line of sight to the satellites. The app uses your phone's camera to project 6 red balls, corresponding to the 3 eastern and 3 western satellites, onto the sky when you hold up the camera and aim at the southern sky. Using this app allows you to pick the best starting point for your satellite antenna.

Tim

--To the OP: As said, trees and/or weather will determine whether you get satellite reception. You can buy a longer cord for your dish and hopefully move away from trees, but you can't avoid the weather. Even a small rainstorm can temporarily ruin your reception. That's camping! You'll get your TV back after the storm passes.

--Regarding Pay as You Go (PAYG), I have a lot of (frustrating) experience dealing with Dish CS on this issue. I've always gotten them to comply, but it's always been difficult.

If your monthly service date is the 15th, for example, you can simply not pay your bill for the next month (manual pay ONLY), and your service and your fees will stop as of the 15th. If you restart your service one week later, on the 22nd, you will be billed for the entire month from the fifteenth, as if you had never stopped your service. You must stop for more than one entire billing cycle (30+ days) in order to get a new service restart date.

You can also stop your service on ANY day of the month and get a credit for unused days. Dish CS will fight you on this, but comply in the end. You must call CS and tell them you want to stop immediately. They will try to convince you to wait out your billing period and just not pay your bill. But if you're not going to watch TV why pay for it? When you go to restart you service you will get the remaining credit applied to your first month's service.

When you call Dish to stop your service they will try to sell you a "suspend" service that costs like five bucks a month even though you don't get any TV. You DO get to be their friend, although once you get to know Dish you'll never want to e their friend. Don't pay the fee! Just stop your service and restart it when you want.

wa8yxm wrote:
Winegard Pathfinder.. Same thing only I do not know how the pathfinder gets power.. You may need to hook up a power cable for it.

If you're referring to the Pathway, it's powered through the coax cable.

Casi wrote:
Thanks everyone. Sounds like Dish is my answer. One question.....do you get pretty good service/coverage at just about anywhere? Next summer we are hoping to go to Yellowstone. We have been there before and didn't have good cell service, does the satellite reception work pretty good everywhere?

Yes, We got great service in remote areas around Yellowstone this summer. A cell phone needs to be able to "see" a tower to get a signal". A satellite dish only needs to be able to see the satellite to get a picture. Very heavy rain, snow, or trees can interfere with reception. The reason we selected a portable dish (Pathway X2) is that you can position it where there is a clear view of the sky. If the dish is permanently mounted to your roof, you're out of luck if there is a tree in the way, or you have to move to a different site.

Jim

Thanks everyone. Sounds like Dish is my answer. One question.....do you get pretty good service/coverage at just about anywhere? Next summer we are hoping to go to Yellowstone. We have been there before and didn't have good cell service, does the satellite reception work pretty good everywhere?

AWE, Shucks! :o

We have a tailgater set up with Dish. The receiver and Tailgater was $350 refurbished from Tweetys. It's great, I set it out and connect the cable, if I don't tell it to set up, it will on it's own. we don't have Dish at home so the service is pricy. Then again on a cold and wet afternoon the distraction is priceless.

Casi,
Whatever you do, listen to Bill.Satellite.