Best RV Satellite Configuration?

[jstaffon]

I've read a number of posts about satellite systems for RVs. I know some of the posts are a little dated so I wanted to revisit this subject, taking into account new technology. I have a 2016 Forest River Rockwood 5th wheel. I spend three months during the winter in RV parks in Arizona. I spend summers dry camping/boon docking with only a generator. My priorities are : 1) HD picture quality; 2)portability; 3)ease of setup, 4)cost. I can't, at this time, mount anything on top of my 5th wheel due to height restrictions where I store my rig. I'm also not real keen on putting something on my trailer because there are some occasions when I park under trees. Something more portable better suits more of my types of camping. I'm leaning towards a normal dish mounted on a tripod, remote from my camper. I'm told they offer the best picture but I'm not sure that's still true with new technology. Can someone help and offer suggestions based on actual setups and configuration? Thanks in advance!

[enblethen]

Yes, you are correct that park cable systems leave a lot to be desired.

[jstaffon]

CA Traveler wrote:

jstaffon wrote:
I noticed that there's also a Trav'ler dish for Dish network. Do you know if there's an easy way to change between Dish and Direct-TV with a Trav'ler dish? I'm leaning towards Dish network due to their "pay as you go" plan. It's a little more expensive but worth it to have the "no contract" issue. I have cable TV at home so I don't have an existing plan.

Another option is to drop cable and use your sat receiver at home and in the RV, either DTV or Dish.

I've considered dropping my cable but my home is heavily networked and uses my multiple Tivos and media servers to distribute photos, music and movies throughout my house. I would lose a lot of capability changing to a satellite system and their DVR.

[jstaffon]

enblethen wrote:
Do you have satellite at your home?

I do not have a satellite service at home. I have cable TV with HD which I watch exclusively. I would like HD...it seems to be more readily available today compared to previous years. It's not a requirement but many of the RV resorts and parks we stay at have regular, digital TV and the picture quality is not as good as over-the-air HD. Picture quality is what I'm looking for. For instance...the place I'm at right now has a variety of channels...all crappy quality.

[CA_Traveler]

enblethen wrote:
We opted for a portable dish as a rig mounted one sometimes have signal blocked by obstacles.

We rarely watch live TV so a DVR receiver serves us well for those times when our roof mounted dish is blocked.

[bob213]

I have a tripod, dish network dish and take one of my receivers from home, so the rv costs nothing extra. I have dual tuner sat. receivers so one receiver provides tv to kitchen and bedroom allowing different channels to be watched. It's not hard to point your antenna after a few attempts and bringing the receiver back and forth is easier when you set your wires up for quick connect and disconnect. I bought an extra set of remotes since that is the one item I usually forget. Now I just leave a set in the trailer. It works well for us. If you are out of the local area you can call Dish and relocate your spot beam to wherever you are. Tripod let's me put antenna wherever, so trees etc. are not a factor.

[jstaffon]

donn0128 wrote:
We take our receiver and mini rwceivers from home when we go out. This gives us recorded programing and the same channels both places.

What system do you currently have on your rig?

[CA_Traveler]

jstaffon wrote:
I noticed that there's also a Trav'ler dish for Dish network. Do you know if there's an easy way to change between Dish and Direct-TV with a Trav'ler dish? I'm leaning towards Dish network due to their "pay as you go" plan. It's a little more expensive but worth it to have the "no contract" issue. I have cable TV at home so I don't have an existing plan.

Another option is to drop cable and use your sat receiver at home and in the RV, either DTV or Dish.

[enblethen]

Do you have satellite at your home?
I see many people wanting HD. I cannot see that much difference, so we do not have it.
We have an early Winegard Carry-out which gives us a very good quality picture. It is just as good as our house's three LMB dish.
The Winegard G2 has some advantage over my dish. It is a little smaller in diameter and does not require second cable.
We opted for a portable dish as a rig mounted one sometimes have signal blocked by obstacles.

[CA_Traveler]

azdryheat wrote:
You can't get Directv HD without the roof-mounted Winegard Travler. So it looks like DISH is your answer, which I know nothing about.

Incorrect. There are a variety of DTV Slimline 3 and SWM dishes that can be mounted on a tripod for example.

My RF Mogul roof mounted dish also folds down and is lower than other roof stuff but automatic dishes are pricey.

[jstaffon]

azdryheat wrote:
You can't get Directv HD without the roof-mounted Winegard Travler. So it looks like DISH is your answer, which I know nothing about.

FWIW, the Traveler is not a height issue as if folds down lower than the A/C units. I like that I push one button to turn it on and it automatically finds the necessary 3 sats for HD. I previously had a tripod mounted antenna and it was a real pain, at times, to find the 101 sat, With that setup I only got Directv SD reception.

I noticed that there's also a Trav'ler dish for Dish network. Do you know if there's an easy way to change between Dish and Direct-TV with a Trav'ler dish? I'm leaning towards Dish network due to their "pay as you go" plan. It's a little more expensive but worth it to have the "no contract" issue. I have cable TV at home so I don't have an existing plan.

[azdryheat]

You can't get Directv HD without the roof-mounted Winegard Travler. So it looks like DISH is your answer, which I know nothing about.

FWIW, the Traveler is not a height issue as if folds down lower than the A/C units. I like that I push one button to turn it on and it automatically finds the necessary 3 sats for HD. I previously had a tripod mounted antenna and it was a real pain, at times, to find the 101 sat, With that setup I only got Directv SD reception.

[donn0128]

Ground based sat antenna, tri pod, 50 feet of coax will get you what you need. Dish or Direct, heck thats a raging debate no one can answer for you. Dish allows turn on/off pretty regularly. Direct has better sports packages. Both offer a form of system that gives you multiple TV and recording options.
We take our receiver and mini rwceivers from home when we go out. This gives us recorded programing and the same channels both places.