I have a 2005 Fleetwood expedition with a satellite dish on it we have never used. Will this thing work if I get a service? What do I need to check? I am switching to one of the satellite companies from Comcast in my home and would like to get some TV service when we travel. What are my options?The satellite is a TracVision LF/SF I don't seem to have a reciever but there is a switch box.When I bought this MH it had some old school Panasonic TV's and a entertainment center with a VHS and a surround sound system. I removed the old TV's and installed 2 new smart TV's with a new entertainment surround sound system that has blue ray and FM stereo. I did not try and connect the TV's to any of the old cables so they only work with the blue ray players. The bedroom TV has it's own blue ray player.There is a switch box that allowed switching to each TV and is marked SAT & VHS I will try and post a picture of that I am guessing it won't work with the newer TV's.

Personally, I would not bother with it. Even if it does work, it will only work with DirecTV and you will not be able to receive ANY programming in HD via the dome. The antenna is too old to work with DISH. If you are replacing your equipment at home, personally, I would buy a Winegard Trav'ler (I prefer DirecTV for service but both services are very good). If you buy a Trav'ler for DTV and change your mind in the future you can swap it over to work with DISH. However, if you buy the DISH version there is no conversion option to go to DirecTV.No, you can't use it while driving down the road but when you are parked and push the button to let it lock onto the satellites you will get the EXACT same service that you would get if you were sitting at home (other than Network programming, the one possible DISH advantage).Just move your receiver from the house to the RV and take off!

I tried calling both Dish & Direct TV and never could find anyone who knew anything. I don't think TV is worth the $1800 for a new dish holy cow I wasn't expecting that.I did another search for RV satellites on ebay and I am seeing some units for much less $150 to $500 that is a little more doable.

I see some people in the camp grounds with portable units on a stand is that a better option than hard mounting them to the roof like my old one? I camp in the Pacific Northwest where many of the camp spots have a lot of big trees so I am wondering if you might not get a signal parked under a big tree?

You will not get a signal parked under a tree but it you are on a budget than mounting a home style antenna on a tripod is a great choice. You get the exact same home service as a much lower price and you can run a long coax cable to located the antenna in a clear spot while the RV remains under the trees.It takes a bit of time to learn to manually point the antenna at each new location but 3-5 times setting it all up will make it very understandable. There are a number of apps available for your phone that can give you the correct direction to point the antenna and the correct elevation, azimuth and skew required for proper reception. Plan on spending $200+ for a really good antenna/tripod setup.

The 2005 TracVision is so out of date that it is not worth the brain damage. The VHS should be a clue. Your coax is not up to date either. Take a deep breath an do lots of research and or wait for the real techies here to comment.

Dome Satellite is it capable of getting service??

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2020
Personally, I would not bother with it. Even if it does work, it will only work with DirecTV and you will not be able to receive ANY programming in HD via the dome. The antenna is too old to work with DISH. If you are replacing your equipment at home, personally, I would buy a Winegard Trav'ler (I prefer DirecTV for service but both services are very good). If you buy a Trav'ler for DTV and change your mind in the future you can swap it over to work with DISH. However, if you buy the DISH version there is no conversion option to go to DirecTV.
No, you can't use it while driving down the road but when you are parked and push the button to let it lock onto the satellites you will get the EXACT same service that you would get if you were sitting at home (other than Network programming, the one possible DISH advantage).
Just move your receiver from the house to the RV and take off!
Gundog
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
I tried calling both Dish & Direct TV and never could find anyone who knew anything. I don't think TV is worth the $1800 for a new dish holy cow I wasn't expecting that.

I did another search for RV satellites on ebay and I am seeing some units for much less $150 to $500 that is a little more doable.
Gundog
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
I see some people in the camp grounds with portable units on a stand is that a better option than hard mounting them to the roof like my old one? I camp in the Pacific Northwest where many of the camp spots have a lot of big trees so I am wondering if you might not get a signal parked under a big tree?
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
You will not get a signal parked under a tree but it you are on a budget than mounting a home style antenna on a tripod is a great choice. You get the exact same home service as a much lower price and you can run a long coax cable to located the antenna in a clear spot while the RV remains under the trees.
It takes a bit of time to learn to manually point the antenna at each new location but 3-5 times setting it all up will make it very understandable. There are a number of apps available for your phone that can give you the correct direction to point the antenna and the correct elevation, azimuth and skew required for proper reception. Plan on spending $200+ for a really good antenna/tripod setup.
Thunder_Mountai
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
The 2005 TracVision is so out of date that it is not worth the brain damage. The VHS should be a clue. Your coax is not up to date either. Take a deep breath an do lots of research and or wait for the real techies here to comment.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2020
Trees? Yup they block sat signals, this is at my daughters in Redmond for DTV. Also note the lower 32 degree elevation for the PNW. While tools help find the satelites it was complete luck that I parked in the only very limited area with reception.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Oct 20, 2020
Gundog wrote:
I tried calling both Dish & Direct TV and never could find anyone who knew anything. I don't think TV is worth the $1800 for a new dish holy cow I wasn't expecting that.
They're generally clueless about RVs.

For a variety of reasons it's unknown how much longer DTV will transmit SD programming so be aware as it seems to change.

For 6 years we've had a single DTV receiver at home that we move to the RV when we travel. All of our recorded shows remain as well and include the ability to skip commercials.

$1800 for a roof mounted automatic dish doesn't surprise me.
bgum
Explorer
Oct 20, 2020
Or you could buy the Dish Playmaker automatic dome with a Wally receiver for $349. Assuming you have the service in your home.
The playmaker can be hardbound on the RV with a mount kit for less than $50.
Be sure to get one that covers both eastern and western arcs
Gundog
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
bgum wrote:
Or you could buy the Dish Playmaker automatic dome with a Wally receiver for $349. Assuming you have the service in your home.
The playmaker can be hardbound on the RV with a mount kit for less than $50.
Be sure to get one that covers both eastern and western arcs

I am leaning towards one of those but would it be better not to mount it for when we are in the trees which is quite often?
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2020
I've heard the stories before about an older dish not being worth your time!
I've have and have used a very old Datron dish for my Direct TV. I also have an older King Come in motion that still received Direct TV....yes, OK, neither one of these gets HD but there's still so much confusion regarding the direction Direct is taking in months or years to come....heck you keep hearing Direct is up for sale. Being one to cover all my bases, I acquired a portable domed Dish antenna since a buddy had an extra receiver....I only activate this when out on an extended trip.
Good luck.....