One more satellite question

Dish allows you to shut service off and on at will. You can use it for the weekend and then turn it off for the week and then turn it on again when you go out. Direct allows one turn off and back on a year.

We had DirecTV for several years, but when ATT bought DirecTV, the prices went out of sight. We switched to DISH, and enjoy just as much at a lower price. The only significant difference is DISH uses 3 satellites (depending upon channels vs 1. Others may have a different opinion. Good luck.

We have used both satellite service providers over the years and both offer pretty much the same programming. Never paid any heed to where their satellites flew in the horizon, didn't even know it was an issue as we found the process for manually acquiring either satellite service when RVing to be quite similar for the last dozen years or so.

From an RVers perspective, one must decide to manually point or go with an automated acquisition system. No automated domes whether roof mounted or portable can acquire Directv HD programming, Dish network HD is attainable. For automated Directv HD access, a roof mounted Winegard Traveler runs about $2K installed.

We are currently with Dish network because they have specific sports programming which is not available on Directv at this time. Other than that we have no real allegiance to either, price of the programming usually dictates which service we have and is the main reason we change satellite service providers every few years.

We prefer DISH in part because they have eastern and western satellite arc sets that increase our aiming opportunities in heavy tree cover areas, plus they offer a no-contract month-to month service that can be stopped and started pretty much at will. DISH also makes it very easy to switch service locations to receive the local stations for the area we're in at the time as well as the major networks, at no extra cost.

When you turn your service off and on with Dish. If you turn service off for two weeks are you only charged for the 1/2 month you've used it?

Mondooker wrote:
When you turn your service off and on with Dish. If you turn service off for two weeks are you only charged for the 1/2 month you've used it?

Dish has been giving us credit for the unused portion of the month, that is applied the next time we activate it. We use the tailgater portable, by the way.

n3eqf wrote:

Mondooker wrote:
When you turn your service off and on with Dish. If you turn service off for two weeks are you only charged for the 1/2 month you've used it?

Dish has been giving us credit for the unused portion of the month, that is applied the next time we activate it. We use the tailgater portable, by the way.

If they are that's a new one for me. As explained to me with the prepaid service once on its on if can't be turned off for the prepaid month. Might be different for those with a standard post paid contract.

Direct TV also has an RV department. Can now get monthly service from them just like with dish. It may not be that everyone at direct is aware , but if you call and ask for the RV section/ dept you can talk to them and get answers.

You can stop and start your service at your convenience and only pay for the days you use.

We have been using Pay-As-You-Go since Jan 2014 with a Tailgater antenna and a VIP211k receiver.

Here's how we do it:

1. To start using the service, we either call or open a chat on the web site.

2. To stop using the service, we either call or open a chat on the web site. If we have not used the full month, this holds our credit balance of the prorated unused days for the month.

E.G., suppose we have paid $80 in Jan and have used half a month. Our account will have a $40 credit balance. In Aug we have our account activated again. We will then pay $40 to activate a new month. At that time our credit balance is $80.

HTH;
John

I noticed none of the responders are from CA. When I had Dish Network for home I was offered a mobile access that I used with my Tailgater at zero cost...I only had to pay for the package that I use at home. I had to pay for the Tailgater though. I liked the idea of three satellites which makes it easier for the antenna to lock-in.
However, the low price they had started from did not last for long. The programming line-up had deteriorated so bad they even eliminated certain channels. I also purchased add-on device to have access to local channels.
Another kicker was the reception at the motor home was unstable that it constantly defaults to all day Dish promotion. This is just one of the reasons I ditched Dish Network.

Now, I have Amazon Prime...no dragging of co-ax cable, no aiming of antenna,no climbing up the roof and best of all it cost me almost a quarter of what it cost me with Dish.