Satellite tv advice

[hermy]

I am trying to become literate in the satellite tv arena because I would like to buy one. I need advice. Here is my situation. We travel in a fifth wheel which has a standard bat wing antennae now but is wired for satellite. We live in Montana but generally travel in Az, Ca, Tx and are planning a trip to Alaska in about 2 years. We enjoy HD but don't need it. I would prefer some sort of portable dish rather than a fixed set up because I would like to use it at my summer cabin as well. We are not huge sports fans. So my questions are: Which company would best suit us- Dish or Direct? Would the Tailgator be my best option for the dish? Will any of it work in Canada and Alaska? I thank you in advance for any advice you can share.

[rbtglove]

I used a dish 500 on a tripod for years (two beer set up time, then a winegard 1000 (not much better maybe one beer), but now have the tailgater with 211K set up with DVR ext HD and this is the best thing I've paid for in along time (even DW can do it). Very simple to use and has worked in places I never thought it would. Can also use it at our cabin. Can pay monthly if you want and if you are not a current dish customer you can get the RV set-up for $199 or at least you could a few months ago. I had to pay $430m for the receiver/tailger package and another $40 for activation, and the external HD $45 but it was worth it.

[buc1980]

I use Directv for a long time.You need a tripod ,slimline dish and a HD receiver to connect to HD channels.

[Uncle_Grumpy]

We got Tailgater and we really like it. Simple to hook up - took a good long while to get the account set up on the phone! Dish has a good selection of programming and you can do some ala carte - so we are able to get one of the Denver channels and don't feel like we're completely out of the loop. I think Tailgater advertises that it's only available in the Lower 48. Got our receiver and antenna box through amazon.com - merchandiser in New Jersey. Came in five days and was about $100 cheaper than advertised. We had DirecTV last year and absolutely hated them. Lousy customer service.

[hermy]

Thank you so much- all of you. I have a lot to digest and yes, I'm pretty sure I'll have more questions. Thanks again.

[Bill_Satellite]

Just be aware that none of the dome antenna systems will work in Alaska (and not very far into Canada). Dome antennas are less expensive but all come with limitations compared to the open faced versions. Dish or Direct likely doesn't make much difference in the US but DirecTV has better coverage in Canada.
You have lots of info that will like lead to lots of new questions. Just ask away!

[powderman426]

I have seen the tailgater work and was impressed. Plug a cable into it, toss it on the ground aimed somewhere near the southwest, and watch tv. It doesn't get any easier than that. I also saw the dtv and wasn't impressed as it required a second cable to move the dish and the one I saw didn't work well at all. As for programming available, I am not sure but I don't believe there is much difference except you can't do he with the autodish, just with a regular dish that requires aiming.

[wa8yxm]

Sat TV 1.01

There are two types of antenna, and different antennas in each type (The antenna is the dome or dish)

Domes and dishes

Domes work great with DirecTV (NOT HD) and do not work at all with DirecHDTV (Can not receive the satellites)

Some domes work great with DISH, epically the tailgator, HOWEVER only with a single receiver Even if the antenna is a "Dual" (meaning it has two outputs and can receiver both even and odd transponders at the same time) it works best with a SINGLE dish receiver.

Why is this: DirecTV uses one bird (101) for most all customers
DirecHDTV uses 101, but also uses two more (99 and 103) that are in a different frequency band, this is why the antenna can not receive them.

Dish uses 2 or 3 110/119 are SD, 129 (I think can never remember if it is 127 or 129) for HD) all in the same band. (NOTE: I am describing only western arc, there are 3 other birds if you are parked on the atlantic coast).

With a single receiver and a dome (like the tailgater) that can repoint quickly you change channels, and the dish repoints and you watch TV.

With two receivers that works for one of you, the other receiver looses signal, or, if the other receiver changes channels, there is nothing there.


Now, DISH antennas come in several types as well, You buy the dish that matches the service you have and, once properly set up (You have to do that in most cases) it works, period.

There is also an automatic roof mounted dish. (It points itself).

One comment about roof mounts.

parked in the open, work great

Parked in the shade of the evil signal eating tree. they work not at all.

So if you go with a roof mount, be it a dish or an in-motion dome, put an A/B switch in the LNB lead near the receiver.

A goes to the roof up Above
B to a bulkhead (Through wall) or ground block connector in the basement, Mine is on the Brake Bell Crank Bracket (Lots of b's there).

NOTE The tailgater is specific for the VIP 211K receiver and will not work with others.

[2oldman]

Sat TV for RVs

Setup dish.

Dish v Direct 2010
Dish v Direct Aug 2010
Dish v Direct 2011

[BB_TX]

Our home is in the DFW area and therefore our local channels. But when we are outside of our home spot beam I just call Dish and give them a new service address (of where ever we are at the time), they reprogram us to the nearest locals, and about 5 minutes later we can get the network channels from that nearest local city. Great for keeping up with local news and weather.
Have no idea how well or if Dish works in Alaska.
Check dishformyrv.com.

[tanman32225]

I have Direct TV.. I am not advertising for them however I researched and found this out. There is a "footprint" that the satellites beam towards the USA. They beam it towards the center thus as you reach the out edges the signal gets weaker. When you get higher in latitude towards canada or Alaska the footprint becomes very weak. Since the satellite is in geosynchronous orbit it puts the dish you are using pointing low towards the horizon instead up towards the sky. Remember the horizon is now towards the equator in Alaska or Upper Canada.
From what I have read here and other sites you can get a signal from time to time is there are no mountains or other objects blocking the signal from reaching your antenna. With all that said I believe in KISS theory and try to keep my RV simple in the electronics arena. What I mean by that is the less the better it will probably work. Your goal is TV and yes we all want HD and all the bells and whistles but we have to be realistic. Your lucky to get a signal at all much less HD.
I have DTV as previously stated. They tried to get me to give up my 4 individual boxes and go with the HD all around GENIE system. Its cheaper and I almost did until I realized I carry a room box with me sometime two. With the GENIE system you cannot take a box from one of the bedrooms or office. I opted with the older system. DTV stated I could rent a box by activating it and deactivating it and only paying for the days used.. Bah too much trouble and too much hassle.
One last item, we purchased a Winegard portable DTV dish that is automatic. All I do is set it in the area where it has a decent look at the southern sky and before I can walk back to the RV its locked on the satellite. I dont have to worry about inclination or degrees or skew. All done in seconds.

In retrospect, I would guess the footprint of DTV or Dish to be about the same so the provider would be up to you. I think either will do what you want but remember KISS when traveling.

[skipnchar]

We didn't have a LOT of success in picking up satellite (Direct TV) while traveling in Alaska since the birds are so low in the sky that mountains don't have to be that close to block the signal. I have a total of about $50.00 invested in my entire RVing package which includes a mount (made from PVC pipe) and a used dish ($10.00 purchased from an installer) and the satellite signal finder from Radio Shack. The system works well and is easy to set up (takes about 10 minutes total). Not sure just how much better Dish network might be up there, for the same reasons. I actually have BOTH services (Direct on one home and Dish on another) and don't really have a preference for one over the other but it seems like Direct is easier to set up in the campground (guessing as I've never used DISH for that purpose). The have about the same services but different channels so you might do well to sign on to both web sites and go over the SPECIFIC programing you are interested in to be sure they have it. I've found more variety with Direct but if you want specific channels make sure the service you choose actually HAS that particular one.
Good luck / Skip

[donn0128]

There are a lot of places that will sell you a package, ie everything you need to get,setup. IMHO buy an oval dish and tripod from a reputable dealer and plan on HD. Heck go for a DVR too. When it is all setup at home, then simply duplicate that for your RV and cabin. Newer Direct equipment use SWM technology. That is a single wire that carries the signal for two receivers. It does requie a power supply to provide power for the LNB. I simply went with a bit older technology and run 4 wires from the antenna to the two places in my trailer. Works fine for us and saves a few dollars. I guess some day ill have to go SWM, but not right now.
A DVR will allow you to record hours of programming without the hassle of commercials. That isrobably 85% of our TV watching so for us it is great.
If you go direct be careful on equipment choices. Some of the newest technology is great for home, but can bedifficuly to setup on multiple TV's in a trailer.