I have a Vip211k receiver and a Dish HD 1000.4 antenna that we will be using while camping. We have spent countless hours trying to get set up and still cannot get a signal - can't even get off step number 2!! We are confused as to how many cables should actually be coming off the antenna, and then they must be connected to a splicer in order to only have 1 coaxial hooked up to the receiver?? We are so frustrated, and every time I call Dish Customer Service, I get someone who has a hard time speaking English and always sounds like she's eating food while trying to talk to me. It looks like maybe the antenna and receiver are not communicating with each other, but we are so frustrated we're ready to just smash the whole system and forget about it. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

You only need ONE cable from the antenna to the receiver and NO splicer or whatever you are trying to put in the line. Please call the RV tech line during working hours Mon thru Sat. 888-309-0370 and you will speak to an American in the US, who knows what an RV is and can help you.

We have the 211 but hooked up to the Tailgater portable.Does the 211 work with other antenna's?

Sure it does. Works with all of the 1000.2 or 4 systems. Our 211 is hooked to a 1000.2 here and a 1000.4 at the S&B.

The only connection you should need is from port #1 on the LNB to the 211K input.

We tried hooking up just to LNB 1, but we still don't get any kind of signal. We can't ever get off step 2 where it tries to download the software. Could it be something as simple as the coaxial being bad???

Troubleshoot Vip211k and Dish 1000.4 antenna | Good Sam Community

blondie330
Explorer
May 13, 2013
We finally found the problem. We had the receiver hooked into the regular cable jack inside the camper. Instead, we had to run a NEW, separate satellite jack. This has been so frustrating, but we finally have the system all hooked up.
blondie330
Explorer
May 11, 2013
When the signal strength meter is hooked up, the receiver is on. But we aren't getting any signal to show up on the meter. We are going to try to hook up a regular Dish 500 instead of the 1000.4 and see if we can get any kind of signal at all. If so, we're going to assume that the 1000.4 is bad.
bob_nestor
Explorer III
May 11, 2013
Since you're showing that you're from NY I assume that's where you're trying to do the setup. If so you need the Easter Arc 1000.4 setup instructions, not the Western Arc ones. Satelliteguys has instructions posted here:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/images/Eastern_Arc_Antenna_Instructions.pdf

I used their instructions to set up the 1000.4 and the VIP211 at my home base and didn't have any problems. If you've got a signal strength meter on the coax you'll need to make sure the receiver is turned on otherwise the meter won't work though.

-bob
Weldon
Explorer
May 11, 2013
Look at the ends of the connectors...does the wire look black or brown rather than copper colored? If so cut back on the cable and install or put the connectors back on. Mine would not work recently and that was my problem.
Good luck.
Us_out_West
Explorer
May 11, 2013
Maybe time to call Dish again and ask for an RV person or technical support.
blondie330
Explorer
May 11, 2013
New R6 cable didnt work.....and when we hook up the signal strength meter to the dish, we get nothing as well. But, on the check switch screen its says reception verified. There is an X in satellite and transponder. Soooo frustrated!
blondie330
Explorer
May 11, 2013
Thanks. We're going to buy new R6 and see if we can finally get the check switch to perform. I'll be posting again if it doesn't work!! lol
Teacher_s_Pet
Explorer
May 11, 2013
Yes bad connections can cause problems..we have a 211K that we use with a Winegard Trav'ler in the Phaeton which is in storage. That 211k is being used with a old Dishpro LNB on a 13 year old small antenna at our storage condo. No HD but all other channels come in fine after "check switch" performed.
blondie330
Explorer
May 11, 2013
We tried hooking up just to LNB 1, but we still don't get any kind of signal. We can't ever get off step 2 where it tries to download the software. Could it be something as simple as the coaxial being bad???
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
May 11, 2013
The only connection you should need is from port #1 on the LNB to the 211K input.