Question about satalite hookups

Our TT came pre-wired for satellite TV. I couldn't figure out how the factory ran the cable and where a splitter is. There's an extra jack on the ceiling above the TV at the dinette and also in the bedroom (in addition to regular coax jack). I have no idea where they expect you to put a sat. receiver.

Our external sat. coax jack is behind a bank of kitchen drawers and I removed the factory coax and ran new high quality coax up to the sat. box which sits on top of the kitchen cabinets through the lower cabinets and up inside the wall of the pantry. From the receiver I ran an HDMI cable through the ceiling over to adjacent to the TV where the radio is. There is a large grommet beside the radio for the component cables to the TV and the HDMI cable runs through that. All new cable is fully concealed. I changed out the single receptacle at the microwave for a duplex type and the receiver plugs into that.

I'm curious where other folks put their receivers? Luckily with the arched ceiling we have, there is an open space above the kitchen cabinets that is just tall enough for the receiver and is the perfect place. In later model years of our TT, KZ filled in the opening with a piece of luan. Absolutely no place in the bedroom for a receiver other than attaching to the ceiling...

Our single exterior coax input prominently labeled sat ready, would only pass cable tv signals, satellite tv signals would not reach our sat receiver. Removed faceplate for interior coax output and found a splitter that does not allow sat signals to passthrough unhindered, simple 10 minute rewire mod and it has been passing HD satellite signal without issue ever since. At least in our case, there is no visually detectable degradation of satellite signal using the stock coax installed in our 10 year old rig, even when using a 100' of coax HD picture is clear and sharp. FYI, we set up our own HD sat antenna mounted on a tripod.

BB_TX wrote:
Best permanent method is to add a new external weatherproof coax connector, a new RG6 coax from there to a new inside coax wall plate, and a new RG6 from there to the sat receiver. Due to the TV location and cabinet arrangements it was a simple process on mine and all hidden from view.

X2 ^^. The satellite cable installation in our rig a) had such poor quality connections, and b) used such low quality coax that the satellite antenna (Pathway X2) would work and lock on only about half the time. Running a dedicated, permanent cable brought this up to 100% of the time.

Rob

I told my friend that as long as the cable is RG6 and any splitters inline should have the MHz rating to pass satellite he would be good. he does have a Keystone Hideout '17 so chances are good.. There is a splitter for the inside/outside tv he has to check.

Jayco claims the cable inlet is good for satellite also. They claim they use RG-6 cable through out.

Haven't tried it, so don't know for sure.

donn0128 wrote:
Generally speaking, no. Mfgs use cheap coax and lots of low quality splitters. All of which degrade high quality signal needed by sat receivers.

Last February I bought an Aliner Expedition and read somewhere that I should replace the connectors with something that would allow the satellite signal to pass through more easily. I also ran extra cable inside cause I wanted my interior connection on the opposite side of the popup than where it was. For some reason, it would not work, and I ran the rest of that time having to run the cable through a gap in the walls.

Just recently I decided to try and figure out what the problem was and, remembering that I hadn't replaced the 3 feet section of interior cable that came with the camper, I disconnected that and simply ran the new section of RG6 cable directly to the exterior connector, and now all is good.

I have the basic satellite package. Dish, tripod, strength meter and compass. DirecTV, with standard def.

I use the exterior "cable" fitting that came with the motorhome. Good pic, no problems.

Everything goes thru a passive junction box. Got OTA TV or satellite as needed.

Best permanent method is to add a new external weatherproof coax connector, a new RG6 coax from there to a new inside coax wall plate, and a new RG6 from there to the sat receiver. Due to the TV location and cabinet arrangements it was a simple process on mine and all hidden from view.

I ran my Dish Tailgater through my RV coax with no issues. The other alternatives are to run your RG6 through a window, replace the RG59 in the rig now with RG6 or install a whole new set of wall jacks and RG6 cables.

Thanks, that was what we were thinking.