Portable Satellite Antenna

I can't speak as intelligently as some on this subject but I can tell you that since you are speaking of Direct TV....be very careful what you purchase for a Carryout System. As you probably already know, Direct TV has some changes coming down the pike. Thus, only certain receivers, at some point will be necessary in order to get signals from the 101 Satellite.

Its going to be very confusing so rather than going into it, I will say this, I've had Direct TV for 20 years and have used Direct TV in the RV via a Roof Dome, a roof mounted non dome and a portable Dish. When this change occurs, only certain receivers would allow me to continue using the three dishes mentioned BUT these receivers are not so easily obtainable. Long story short, I'm giving up on Direct at least in the RV for now. I will switch over to Dish Network (home and RV) sometime in the near future.

I'm sure someone will come along and explain this much better than I!!!

Thanks for the reply. After surfing around the net and doing some more reading, I’m hearing a lot of the same. Since I’m out of contract with Direct TV, maybe it’s time to make a switch. Again, thanks for the reply, hopefully others will chime in as well.
My daughter recently switched to Hulu TV at home and seems happy with it and at a considerable savings. Maybe I need to look at that for home and Dish for the RV. Decisions, decisions.

I know exactly how you feel...decisions-decisions!!!! Honestly, I'm thinking "Streaming" may be a viable option but many places I RV don't have such great coverage for Data. Oh well...Good Luck!

The question about receivers is not really in question at all. You just have to have an HD receiver to receive DTV programming in the near future (some are now reporting 2021). I suggest the H24 model or HR24 if you want a DVR. This will work today receiving only SD programming (true with any dome model antenna) and will work when the change happens someday. If/when this change happens your dome will start receiving programming in HD which will be a great improvement. What remains in question is which channels will be available since only the programming being broadcast from the 101 satellite can be picked up by a dome.
You can actually take your Genie in the RV when you travel if you like and have all your recorded programming on the road as well. You can't just bring a client as they are not receivers. You would have to add the SWM 8 hardware between the dome and the receiver but that's pretty easy and cheap.
If you plan to dump DTV and have DISH installed at home just be aware that DISH uses 2 different sets of 3 satellites to cover the US so which set you are assigned to at home can affect which dome you should buy. You will also need a wide open sky to catch all 3 satellites as they are spread across 20 degrees of sky.

Bill is correct for the most part, but the reference to Dish needing "wide open sky" is an exaggeration. That 20 deg spread is at ~22,500 miles away from the single aiming point at your dish, so the gap needed through tree cover is really quite small. In 10 years of setting up our portable dish at a couple of hundred campsites, most with some sort of tree cover, we've always been able to get the Dish sat signals from one arc set or the other. And we never choose sites for the "satellite view", just the "scenic view".

We tried the streaming idea when our DTV contract was on `vacation hold' and it worked OK for movies but slowed down when the system got busy usually in the evening.
You need DTV or Dish for national channels like ESPN, etc. but if you can live with local channels and streaming there is no need for DTV.
Just my $.03.

Bill.Satellite wrote:

If you plan to dump DTV and have DISH installed at home just be aware that DISH uses 2 different sets of 3 satellites to cover the US so which set you are assigned to at home can affect which dome you should buy. You will also need a wide open sky to catch all 3 satellites as they are spread across 20 degrees of sky.

The PL-7000 will receive all 3 western arc and 1 eastern arc, is this not a good option for folks with just eastern or western arc reception at home?

Lynnmor wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:

If you plan to dump DTV and have DISH installed at home just be aware that DISH uses 2 different sets of 3 satellites to cover the US so which set you are assigned to at home can affect which dome you should buy. You will also need a wide open sky to catch all 3 satellites as they are spread across 20 degrees of sky.

The PL-7000 will receive all 3 western arc and 1 eastern arc, is this not a good option for folks with just eastern or western arc reception at home?

The problem with the PL-7000 is that you need to hit both the western arc 110 and 119 sats plus the 61.5 eastern arc sat to get all the programming available. The Winegard Pathway X2 is a much better choice since it can receive the full 3 sat set on either arc.

I agree with what "Mr. Satellite" has said....the HR24 or H24 receiver will work with the single LNA/LNB round Dish(Domed Sat) now and when the change over takes place BUT try to get Direct to supply you with those particular receivers! I did, talking with roughly 10 different Reps and about 5-6 supervisors. Yes, you can buy these receivers BUT then play Hell getting a bought receiver activated. And even after you do all this, you will be at the mercy of Direct TV as to what they decide to put on the HD 101 Satellite. I Got tired of all the BS, fighting to keep what will amount to a less than prefect system.

After well over 20 years with Direct, they have lost me as a customer....I know, I know, don't let the door hit me on the way out, but that's OK...they can do without me as well as I can do with them.

I’ve had both and I like DISH better. They are more RV friendly. You can change locals daily if you want. You can reauthorize your sat box from your phone.

I use a Pathway X2. Works great. You can’t use a Hopper and Joey tho.

I use a 211z. You can also use a Wally.