Internet and TV for full time rv
My wife and I will be going full time rv living next year and I'm trying to resolve issues beforehand. What is the most reliable internet service (not wifi hot spots at various locations but independe...
Forum Discussion
I use Millenicom and their MiFi, which runs on the Verizon system (I wanted SOMETHING that used the Verizon system). I also have a Wilson Sleek for it in my truck and their office kit in my fifth wheel. The Sleek generally gains 2 bars. The MiFi functions as a router and you can run up to 10 devices I think. I have my phone set to search for it first so it uses the MiFi for data instead of the phone plan. Note that the Sleek can also be used to boost your phone, but you need to set your phone in the Sleek cradle.
The problem with free TV is no ESPN, no History channel, no HBO, etc. Antenna TV is great of you are happy with only getting local channels and some Public Broadcast Channels - and if you are near a city. My philosophy is that I had cable TV in my house so why should I give it up when I switched to fulltiming ?
I have a Winegard Pathway X2 portable sat receiver which gets Dish HD. Why the X2 ? First, I did not want a roof top receiver because I wanted to be able to move the receiver for best reception. Did not get DirectTV because they do not put out an HD signal for these portable golf ball receivers - only SD. The X2 has a slightly larger sat dish then the Tailgater (main competitor) so it should get better reception if shooting through leaves, etc. The X2 has 2 cable outputs so you can watch different shows on 2 TVs (if the shows are on the same satellite). And, maybe most importantly, the X2 can get programming from either the eastern or western arc Dish satellites. This is handy if one set is blocked by trees. In that case I just switch to the other set. I also understand that the western satellites can be difficult to 'find' if you are in the far eastern US. In that case just tune to the eastern ones. I think you can find the X2 on Amazon for about $450-500 with one receiver box and remote with free shipping. If you need a second box - I happened to see them today in Camping World for $75.
I believe the Tailgater has only one cable output and can only get the western arc Dish satellites. But - I know people really like their Tailgaters and they do work well.
One thing to know - These golfball sat receivers get their power through the cable so there must be a direct connection to the receiver box - cannot go through switches. So often times you must run a new cable inside your camper or just run a cable through a window or slide.
I am real happy with my setup. Everything works fine.
Tim
The problem with free TV is no ESPN, no History channel, no HBO, etc. Antenna TV is great of you are happy with only getting local channels and some Public Broadcast Channels - and if you are near a city. My philosophy is that I had cable TV in my house so why should I give it up when I switched to fulltiming ?
I have a Winegard Pathway X2 portable sat receiver which gets Dish HD. Why the X2 ? First, I did not want a roof top receiver because I wanted to be able to move the receiver for best reception. Did not get DirectTV because they do not put out an HD signal for these portable golf ball receivers - only SD. The X2 has a slightly larger sat dish then the Tailgater (main competitor) so it should get better reception if shooting through leaves, etc. The X2 has 2 cable outputs so you can watch different shows on 2 TVs (if the shows are on the same satellite). And, maybe most importantly, the X2 can get programming from either the eastern or western arc Dish satellites. This is handy if one set is blocked by trees. In that case I just switch to the other set. I also understand that the western satellites can be difficult to 'find' if you are in the far eastern US. In that case just tune to the eastern ones. I think you can find the X2 on Amazon for about $450-500 with one receiver box and remote with free shipping. If you need a second box - I happened to see them today in Camping World for $75.
I believe the Tailgater has only one cable output and can only get the western arc Dish satellites. But - I know people really like their Tailgaters and they do work well.
One thing to know - These golfball sat receivers get their power through the cable so there must be a direct connection to the receiver box - cannot go through switches. So often times you must run a new cable inside your camper or just run a cable through a window or slide.
I am real happy with my setup. Everything works fine.
Tim
