If you don't mind a 2 year contract, you can get all of the equipment, including a Hopper/Joey setup if you like, for free including installation. If you only need service 6 months per year you can still do the contract thing and suspend the service when not needed but this extends the contract time period.
If you only want part time service and don't mind paying for the equipment, you can sign up for Dish Pay-as-you-go and turn the service on (in 30 day blocks) and then off as necessary.
As to the actual setup, Dish, Cable, Receiver and service (contract or not) is all that's required.