Really stupid question cc directv/satellite, etc

We have the Genie as well.
I had Direct TV send me a H24 receiver to use with my Winegard Carry out dish. Even though the H24 is HD receiver it works with the winegard but only in SD.

RF Mogul Eagle DTV search operation:
1. Power on button
2. 30 seconds to acquire GPS, no delay if power was previously turned on.
3. Maximum elevation
4. Set skew based on the GPS
5. Set elevation based on the GPS
6. Azimuth rotation, no GPS for this, finds sats on first rotation.
7. Optimize signal for the 3 sats

Trees etc can require longer and/or incomplete success.

Normal time 30 sec + 3 minutes.

Keep in mind that while the Genie 2 can be anywhere in the RV it is 11"Hx6x6 and must be mounted vertical. It also needs adequate cooling and AC power (thinking boondocking). And it must have a coax from the dish, clients can have a coax or wireless.

I have my HR44 (HD, not 4K) mounted vertical in the back of a cabinet. The door is cracked 1/2" for air ventilation. The remote is RF and can be used anywhere in the rig. It also has IR for my IR TV. The TV IR remote is required for OTA, DVDs etc. If you are not aware RF means line of sight is not needed, can be in a different room.

The HR44 has a brick for power and a second brick is used for the dish. Mine are located in an adjacent area but they do of course produce some heat.

I chose the RF Mogul Eagle because:
1. The dish has only motors and gears with all electronics inside.
2. The GPS antenna and LNBs are on the dish.
3. Start to finish the DTV lock time is 3.5 minutes.
4. I can have parts shipped to me for field service, no need to remove and ship a failed dish to them like Winegard.
5 For about $300+ a kit to convert to Dish is available. The LNB and arm are changed and new firmware. The controller has a common card slot for the flash drive. Plug it in and reboot.

Many are satisfied with their Winegard dish.

All of these factors and more should be considered with a RV installation.

SuGar Shack wrote:
Okay, people. I am TOTALLY confused when it comes to television. Here is what we have in our house:

Genie Gen 2
HR44-200

I am wondering how to get Directv in my RV. I'm assuming I need a Winegard. My son told me that this receiver is high def and I would need a high def portable satellite. Is that true? Thanks, Susie

You CAN use a portable dome with your Genie but it requires some modifications to add SWM capabilities. If you Google Winegard SWM setup you will get the .pdf that describes how to setup a dome with the SWM8 hardware.
Personally, I don't recommend this as you will NOT get any HD programming and DirecTV is changing what they broadcast from 101 sometime in 2019 so the dome may become obsolete (no one knows for sure) sometime later next year.
The least expensive option is to buy a home style antenna mounted on a tripod. It takes a bit of time to assemble and disassemble at each new location but it only takes a short time to locate the satellites once you have a bit of experience (learning!) with the pointing requirements and using the pointing apps available.
By far, the easiest option is to install a Winegard Trav'ler or RF Mogul Eagle. It's not cheap but it's super simple and it works everywhere in just a matter of minutes. The down side is you cannot park under a tree as you need a clear view to the Southern Sky.

If you want HD in your RV with your directv you will need a HD capable dish and they get expensive. I have HD directv at my house. My receiver is HD but is not a Genie, but works well in the 5wh, just no HD. I have a cheap automatic Winegard dish on my 5wh. I pd $300.00 for it and mounted it on the roof. It's not HD and I do have to go into settings on the receiver & change it to 18in dish size. I flip a switch to put 12 volt power to the dish and after it picks up the signal I switch the power back off and it's already to watch. It's pretty simple. The picture isn't quite the same quality of picture as HD at home but it's not too shabby.

Only cost a dime more to go first class. Buy a Winegard Trav'ler I have $1200.00 in mine complete and love every minute of it. Now if you like playing in the rain setting up your dish, go another route.

To be clear there is no additional charge to take our HR44 in the MH. But when I need new locals I have to call or chat to change the service address.

A second RV account is in fact a complete and different account and going down that route basically means double the cost.

And both Winegard and RF Mogul have automated SWM dishes and in the price range of $1500+.

And for full disclosure: I don't have a Genie 2. I've only read that it's the newest greatest gadget that is a server and a client that support 4K shows. I believe the HR54 also has 4K capability.

Personally other than bragging rights I see no reason for 4K in a RV. And I believe it's also questionable with my 55" TV at home.

And if you don't want to change your service address you can subscribe to DNS which means you get either NYC or LA locals. Many posts on this also.

Lots of fun to sort out what is right for you. Then get the right equipment and hit the road. :B

I have a HD44 receiver and move it to the RV when we travel. You could take yours or the Genie 2. The Genie 2 is more involved to move because you have to move the server and the client. Both require a SWM capable dish and you'll have to check to make sure that the RV dish is 4K capable if you plan to take the Genie 2.

I have a RF Mogul automated dish which is SWM and it works great with the HR44. All of the recorded shows move with the HR44. Or you can buy, setup and aim a portable dish but again it must be SWM capable.

Now what will DTV say about 2 receivers at different location - your in violation of the contract. Hint take the HR44 and the Genie 2. Or you can have a second DTV account for the RV - Many posts on this subject.

Are you aware that once the RV leaves the local area you will no longer get your local stations - ie ABC, NBC, etc? Or any locals? And then once you change your service address to the RV location you get their locals and IF there is a receiver at home it will no longer get the local stations. ie When you change locals the account changes for all receivers. ie Once you drive across the country getting locals Grandma at home will get error messages. Many post on this subject.

SuGar Shack wrote:
As I understand it, Directv isnot crazy about taking your home receiver and putting it on your RV. They want to charge you more.

We take our receivers with us to Florida each winter and have a dish and tripod we keep in the RV. We do not pay more and when we’ve had difficulty getting all the stations they come to our site and adjust it for is. When we get home, we just plug back in, give them a call and we are back in business.

I do the same as the Sandia man.

Got the dish and power inserter off Amazon and the tripod stand from Radio Shack before I think it went out of business.