DISH TV

[Range_Maggot_Bo]

Is anyone using the DISH portable satellite dish- not the automatic kind but the kind that goes on the tripod? I always used that type for DirecTV and had no problems; could find a satellite in about 3 minutes and 5 minutes later I was watching TV. When we switched to DISH, we got the Wally with the Playmaker automatic satellite finder. Just cannot get it to work right; it finds the satellites but cannot lock onto the signal. I have a new Wally receiver on the way, and had Winegard check the Playmaker, but I'm not holding my breath. So I'm thinking I may go back to an open dish type. Are any of you guys still using this setup? Thanks for any info.

(I also posted this on the FR forums.)

[Ralph_Cramden]

cpaulsen wrote:
Use a tripod and a Dish 1000.2..........takes about 5 minutes to set up.

Wow. I have the 1000.4 EA which has a screw adjustment for elevation and a surveyors tripod setup, along with an interchangeable LNB to hit the WA birds if needed. You're doing great setting up in 5 minutes. It takes me longer than that to dig it out of storage, set up the tripod and plumb the mast / pop the dish on, and roll out the cable which sometimes has been 200' due to trees. Aiming and peaking the dish is the easy and fast part.

[cpaulsen]

Use a tripod and a Dish 1000.2..........takes about 5 minutes to set up.

[goducks10]

ford truck guy wrote:
I use the Pathway X2 along with the Wally...

I do not have issues setting up, just plug in, and do an auto search while doing other things.
Once all set up, I go on the app and change my locals, they are updated usually in a few minutes after the call.

I like the idea of having Dish for my RV,,, With our main camping during summer and fall, and ZERO from late October to early April, we only pay for 30 days at a time... We pay no penalty and no dish service during those down months.

x2 exactly

[ljr]

I mostly use a tripod mounted 1000.2 and have for years. With a good tripod, level, compass and a decent meter it’s a piece of cake. I often run into people having lots of problems. They are almost always missing one or more of those.

[Dutch_12078]

Be aware that none of the dome style dishes work with the Dish Hopper series of multi-tuner DVR's. Only the open face multi-LNB dishes can be used, either the automatic aiming models like the Trav'ler or the manually aimed tripod mounted models. The domes can only be used with the Wally or the previous VIP series receivers like the 211k or 211z.

[BB_TX]

Mmwtdh wrote:
BB TX,

Do you use a signal meter or the receiver?

.....

Yes, I do use an in line signal meter to maximize the signal. Then I remove the meter.

[Big_Katuna]

I was told that it’s because I have a residential account. RV accounts get the option.

The agent blamed the FCC and said they were negotiating.

[Solo]

Solo wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:




You can now reauthorize your sat box with their app.

I can have locals added with the app but their directions never do coincide with the app it appears.

OK, may have finally talked to someone at Dish who knows why I could never manage locals from the APP but why others could. Dish is still in a trial phase with the managing locals via the APP with an Outdoor account. Some customers have the feature enabled during this trial period and others do not according to the representative I just visited with.

My account apparently falls in the category of "not available" yet. I'll just continue to use Chat to manage locals when traveling to the next spot beam.

[ford_truck_guy]

I use the Pathway X2 along with the Wally...

I do not have issues setting up, just plug in, and do an auto search while doing other things.
Once all set up, I go on the app and change my locals, they are updated usually in a few minutes after the call.

I like the idea of having Dish for my RV,,, With our main camping during summer and fall, and ZERO from late October to early April, we only pay for 30 days at a time... We pay no penalty and no dish service during those down months.

[Solo]

Big Katuna wrote:


I now call to change locals as soon as I level so they will be there when I search.

You can now reauthorize your sat box with their app.

I do the same thing via a call or usually Chat but, customer service keeps telling me I can have locals added with the app but their directions never do coincide with the app it appears. I can see "reauthorize" on the app but, will this provide locals when I have moved out of the previous spot beam? What am I missing with the app? Can't complain about their service when using Chat but, using the app to obtain locals would be nice.

[Big_Katuna]

I switched to DISH and went with a Winegard Pathway X2. It is the only carryout that lets you pick between the eastern and western arcs. I have Dishpointer to help me find which group of sats are open from interference. The bigger dish gets a stronger signal in rain and clouds.

One thing I’ve noticed with my Pathway that may apply to the Playmaker and others is that if I travel outside the locals, it takes the dome awhile to find the sats and I’ll get “can’t find sats” or won’t find any sats.

I now call to change locals as soon as I level so they will be there when I search.

You can now reauthorize your sat box with their app.

[Range_Maggot_Bo]

Thanks everybody! I had DirecTV for years, threw my satellite finder meter away after about 2 days, and never had a problem getting a signal. Sounds like the tripod setup is going to be the way to go for us. Again, THANKS!

[TechWriter]

Range Maggot Bob wrote:
I'm thinking I may go back to an open dish type. Are any of you guys still using this setup?

Besides my rooftop Winegard Travler, I also use an open-face dish on a tripod when I'm parked under trees or need to use DISH's Eastern Arc sats.

I've been setting up tripods for over a decade, but recently bought a Super Buddy sat meter. It was expensive, but makes setting up a dish very easy.

Apparently, some folks can set up a tripod dish blindfolded. Good for them. Give it a try with no meter or a cheap one and see how it goes. You may be a dish whisperer too.

[Dutch_12078]

I've used a Dish 1000.4 triple LNB dish mounted on a tripod for the past 5 years or so. I switch the LNB between the eastern arc and western arc versions as needed to get the best view on treed sites. I use the DishPointer app on my phone for best tripod placement, and a then $50 meter I bought on eBay that identifies the satellites for dialing in the signals. Setting up and aiming takes me no more than 15 minutes in most cases. Less when I have the dish and mount pre-assembled and stowed in the toad between sites.