Dome or Dish Receiver

[RedRollingRoadb]

Just completing a purchase of a new unit and In negotiations I got a satellite tossed in.
The question came up if we wanted a dome or a crank up dish. Salesman said he didn't really know but would go with the crank up.

Since I never have had satellite can I still get OTA? I have no idea what kind of antenna is mounted, or if it is removed. I would assume that some where the satellite is joined to the coax that goes to the TV's.

I really don't have a clue on the service of Dish or DirectTV. Full timing is still a few years away, didn't there used to be a provider that offered some RV plan? We use OTA at home and a Roku.

FWIW the MH is a Bounder 34T Anniversary edition, had most of the bells and whistles, why it didn't have the satellite installed is beyond me.

Thanks. Opinions and advise welcomed. Off to the Internet to see if I can find some info.

[Bill_Satellite]

Just FYI, dome antennas can only receive the KU band broadcasts. DirecTV's HD programming comes from 99 and 103 which is broadcast on the KA band. DirecTV 101 is KU band and all 6 of the Dish satellites broadcast on the KU band allowing SD and HD reception with Dish and a dome. Domes only have 1 LNB so they can only "see" one satellite at a time and switch between satellites as you change channels.
2nd FYI, not all domes can receive programing while driving. There are stationary and in-motion antennas. The in-motion versions are substantially more expensive.

[Horizon170]

Thank you Bill and WA8.
Marvin

[wa8yxm]

Sat Antennas 100.5 (Only half of 101)
Domes, can receive ONE sat at a time and that only in one band, i think KU (might be KA but I think KU)
DirecTV uses that band and the Bird (Sat) at 101W for SD transmissions.
DirecHDTV uses two more (99 and 103) in the OTHER band for HD transmissions, so no HD with a dome

Dish uses six birds, 3 on the e3ast and 3 on the west, for SD and HD mixed (All in the same band, the one Domes get So a Dome works well with a SINGLE CHANNEL receiver, but if you wish to watch or record more than one show at a time, Not so good.

Dish antennas are sold to match the receiver.. So no mattery which service you have, No matter if you have one receiver, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8 or more (Receivers or record channels, either one) they work, period, they work, once locked on

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Domes: Some work goign down the road so you can record your favorite daytime drama/game/talk shows while driving for viewing once parked.

Dish type antennas you must be PARKED to use them

My recommendation: Unless you need IN-Motion (also good for sat radio) go with a DISH. But an automatic one PLUS a second "Ground mount" for when you are parked under the evil signal eating tree.

[Bill_Satellite]

Horizon170 wrote:
I have a tripod -------will this work with my VIP612DVR receivers? It will be ground mounted, not on the RV.
Thanks,
Marvin
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=dish1000.4

Yes, that is an EA antenna. You will need a good tripod or similar mount and that antenna might need some additional hardware to adapt it to the mount you plan to use.
As an aside, you can (could) use the WA satellite if you needed to do so if you plan to travel. That's why others mention WA. Once you are outside your home market it's just as likely that the Network programming will be on the WA satellite as it is that they will be on the EA. You cannot pick up any Network programming once you leave your home market spot beam no matter what antenna you have.

[Happytraveler]

lanerd wrote:
Crank up dish? Boy...that's really old school.

Your best bet by far would be to install a Winegard Trav'ler automatic dish antenna. Domes are limited to SD if you have Direct but will get HD with DISH. Domes are also much more susceptible to moisture on the outside of the dome...rain/show will shut it down and I've even heard that heavy dew can also. Domes typically will only lock on to one satellite at a time and if you switch channels that is transmitted on another satellite, there will be a small hesitation in the signal.

With the Trav'ler, one push of a button and the dish will raise from it's stored position, find all and lock on to the required satellites and no hesitation between channels.

You should already have a crank up OTA batwing antenna and they work just fine once you get it pointed in the right direction and are not too far away from the transmitting tv station. You will also have connections outside for cable or external (portable) dish antenna.

We use DISH at home and just remove the receiver from there and install into the mh. If we travel outside of the "local" tv area, I contact DISH (via their website) and change my service address.

Hope this helps

Ron

Done that with the Dome and switch to Travelers, best thing we ever did.

[Horizon170]

I have a tripod--------------and I can't use the WA because my home is on the EA.
All I need now is to verify that my VIP612DVR will work with this dish.
https://www.amazon.com/Dish-Network-1000-4-Eastern-61-5/dp/B001IQF6AO

[Dutch_12078]

Horizon170 wrote:
Bill, I let all my information go with the "B" when I sold it.
Please tell me what I need for the Tripod setup, for 1000.4 EA.
Will this kit work with my VIP612DVR? It's rough getting old and not remembering.
Thanks,Marvin
#1 https://www.amazon.com/Dish-Network-1000-4-Eastern-61-5/dp/B001IQF6AO
OR #2 http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=dish1000.4

As Bill said, you'll still need a tripod of some sort in order to mount the dish on a level support. I'd also suggest getting a western arc LNB for the 1000.4 to swap with the eastern arc LNB it comes with to give you more aiming flexibility in heavily treed parks.

[Horizon170]

I have a tripod -------will this work with my VIP612DVR receivers? It will be ground mounted, not on the RV.
Thanks,
Marvin
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=dish1000.4

[Bill_Satellite]

So tired of all the duplicate posts. What's up with this site?

[Bill_Satellite]

Both links appear to show antenna only. What are you going to mount that antenna to so you can get a good plumb and level mounting platform? It's not going on your roof, this is something that needs to be mounted on a tripod as pictured (but not included) in link #1.
Take a look at TV4RV.com if that's the route you plan to take.

[Horizon170]

Bill, I let all my information go with the "B" when I sold it.
Please tell me what I need for the Tripod setup, for 1000.4 EA.
Will this kit work with my VIP612DVR? It's rough getting old and not remembering.
Thanks,Marvin
#1 https://www.amazon.com/Dish-Network-1000-4-Eastern-61-5/dp/B001IQF6AO
OR #2 http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=dish1000.4

[Bill_Satellite]

Horizon170 wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The crankup antenna is an open faced parabolic antenna, just one that is manually "cranked" up and down and manually moved side to side to search and find the satellite (one satellite at a time). You do not want one of these!

Bill, we sold our "B" with the manual setup thinking we were through camping---------Yea, right, we just got a small "C":) and here is what we would like to have.
1. Roof mount automatic for Eastern arc only.
2. We want to watch one program while recording another.
We have two VIP612DVR receivers at home and want to take one of them with us in the RV. Don't have a Joey or anything else and don't want one.
We have never had to contact Dish to let them know we were traveling.
Sometimes we couldn't get the local Atlanta stations but that is OK.
What Antenna do I need and do I need to upgrade my receivers?
Thanks
PS, Forgot to add that I don't watch many HD channels and don't need that capability.

If you want EA satellites then it will have to be a dome. If you want to watch one channel and record a different one you are likely going to run into conflicts with a dome since the dome can only "see" 1 of the 3 satellites at a time.
So you have a problem. HD would be available whether you want it or need it! The open faced automatic roof antennas are not setup for EA so WA only.

[rexmitchell]

Big Katuna wrote:
Neither. My dome is nearly worthless because I camp where there are trees.

Get a Winegard Pathway X2 carry out automatic. Set it where there is an opening and it finds the SATS. Does DISH HD.

I have a portable king dish. Chose it for the reasons you list. I can move it to where I need it to get out from under trees. Also, I can park the trailer wherever I want.


FYI, if anyone is already a dish customer it is only like 5-7$ a month to add satellite to your rv. Heck of a deal since I get every channel on the rig as I do at home.

[Horizon170]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The crankup antenna is an open faced parabolic antenna, just one that is manually "cranked" up and down and manually moved side to side to search and find the satellite (one satellite at a time). You do not want one of these!

Bill, we sold our "B" with the manual setup thinking we were through camping---------Yea, right, we just got a small "C":) and here is what we would like to have.
1. Roof mount automatic for Eastern arc only.
2. We want to watch one program while recording another.
We have two VIP612DVR receivers at home and want to take one of them with us in the RV. Don't have a Joey or anything else and don't want one.
We have never had to contact Dish to let them know we were traveling.
Sometimes we couldn't get the local Atlanta stations but that is OK.
What Antenna do I need and do I need to upgrade my receivers?
Thanks
PS, Forgot to add that I don't watch many HD channels and don't need that capability.