I've aimed a few home satellite dishes, so purchasing a lower cost, portable dish and having to aim it is not an issue for me. However, I do have a question about some of these portable, lower-cost dishes that seem to only support one satellite at a time. Since I'll be using Dish Network, I believe Dish requires access to 3 satellites for full-feature support (110, 119, and 129).Although I can live with just SD and basic programming (using only satellite 119), I'd prefer to have HD and extended tier SD channels (110 and 129), too. Have any of you (using the Dish Network) encountered any access issues (with HD or specific programs/channels) when using your portable satellite dish? If so, which make and model satellite dish are you using?Thanks!

The basic 3 LNB Dish dish will pick up all three sats simultaneously. I have a 1000.2 (or is it the 1000.4?) sat dish we originally used in the RV. Now we use the Tailgater in the RV but at home we have the single dish with the 3 LNBs.The 3 LNB dish will work with a multiple channel receiver. The Tailgater only works with a single channel receiver but can serve a SD TV with the same channel as the primary HD TV.We get HD both at home and in the RV.

I have the Tailgater for Dish and it works very well for me. While it is going to look for 3 sats it does not need to find all 3. This can be an issue if you are trying to shoot through THICK trees. It will work fine with 2 (I'm not sure which 2) and simply drop the other channels. Occasionally in high winds through trees, one of the remaining two will degrade, but service has remained fine on the third (and only remaining) sat.It is remarkably easy to use, although the OP says that doesn't interest him. While it can take 10-15 minutes to reacquire sats, I can't imagine anyone getting a manual dish aimed quicker than that. As said, HD comes direct from each sat, so even with fewer stas and fewer channels, you will still get HD on the remaining HD channels. Not all channels are offered in HD.

Tailgater.....get that one. Easiest one on record, I swear. Any of the others took DH 1/2 hour or more to find the signals....even with the equipment you get for finding the sats. With Tailgater, you just set it out, with the handle facing north and bingo, you have the sats. We got ours a week ago and will NEVER go back to the other.

Even though we have a King Dome on the front of our MH I would NEVER be without our Tailgater. Twice this summer I needed to use it due to trees blocking the mounted dome.

Really comes down to what you want to do. One channel...Tailgater. Two different channels at the same time...go with BB_TX's setup (but you'll need a dual tuner.)

Wanting Satellite TV (Dish Network) for my TT

22 Replies

Gulfcoast
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
I don't know what non essencial info you are talking about, but click on Direct TV or Dish Network and it shows the satellites in the air.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 31, 2013
Gulfcoast wrote:
The android app you recommended is $20... I found a free one that works just like it. It uses the phone camera so you can see any tree limbs that would be in the way. It is free and called Satellite AR by AGI. Good advice on an auto dish. thanks

I checked out Satellite AR looks like it gives lots of non essential info but it should work. Best part is price is right!
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
The android app you recommended is $20... I found a free one that works just like it. It uses the phone camera so you can see any tree limbs that would be in the way. It is free and called Satellite AR by AGI. Good advice on an auto dish. thanks
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 31, 2013
Tailgater or automatic is the way to go. Automatics have come down in price and are much simpler than manually locating satellites.
If you are a full timer or extended stay camper manual maybe OK but if you are a weekend warrior or move frequently get the automatic
doughere
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
The tailgater only looks at one sat at a time, so you can only watch one channel at a time, but will automatically re-aim itself at the sat you need if you change channels.

Doug
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 31, 2013
Gulfcoast wrote:
ok, I will ask a question... Do any of the satellite finder meters work well, or what's the best method to find the Dish Network satellites? Trial and error isn't much fun.

Smartphone Apps make it easy.
Apple= Dish for my RV
Android= Dishpointer
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013
ok, I will ask a question... Do any of the satellite finder meters work well, or what's the best method to find the Dish Network satellites? Trial and error isn't much fun.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2013
I can't find where you asked a question!
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Dec 30, 2013
I found the answer I was looking for on the net... thanks anyway.
Stranger
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
When I needed a new HD Dish for my ALFA, I found a DISH installer doing his job at the house next door to where I was. I asked him if he had a dish he'd sell me.
$40 later I had a new HD dish and a handful of power passing connectors.
Identical to the home units, works fine.
I'll post pics of the mods I did to fold it if anyone wants.

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Wanting Satellite TV (Dish Network) for my TT

22 Replies

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