SATELLITES DISHES AND INTERNET CONNECTION

[bsoshea]

We will be fulltime RV'ers by the end of this year and are looking into satellite dishes and internet connection for our 5th wheel. We know we won't need service for t.v. while on the move because we have a 5th wheel, but once we reach our destination we'll want it. Do any of you have information/suggestions you can offer us in regards to the best types of satellites and the best service companies there are available to fulltime rv'ers? Also we are wondering about internet service and whether or not it can be optained through a satellite service provider?

Any info while be helpful.

Thanks.

[Bill_Satellite]

It will depend upon your KVH antenna. Some did not support a DVR but you can call KVH or check your owners manual. The Carryout will work, you just run to cables from the Carry-out to the DVR (DirecTV R-16 is what you will want) and you can watch and record all of the DirecTV programming. If you are a full timer and use the Distant Network Services (DNS) so you can have the Networks where ever you travel, this programming is also on the 101 so you are good to go. I did exactly that for about 10 years before updating to a roof mounted Trav'ler and the Genie receiver.

[W4RLR]

RV Nomads wrote:
Just Curious... Can you get a SD receiver from either Direct or DISH with a DVR? I have a KVH in motion dome and a winegard carry-out. I'm happy to watch off-air tv when available... but sometimes it isn't. I don't need HD but I would like to record shows. I'm fulltime and don't own a home. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Yes. We have a KingDome twin LNB dome dish, feeding two DirecTV DVRs. Standard definition only, as the HD service is on another satellite from the SD programming.

[W4RLR]

wa8yxm wrote:

Exceed uses the old WildBlue Hardware.. The sats are spot beamed so you need to do a lot of work to move from one part of the country to another. This makes it very impractical for RVers.

Only partially true, OM. Depending on your location, you could be using the legacy Wildblue hardware (or Exede5 as it is now known) The newer Exede service (Exede12) uses a high capacity satellite and different transmit and receive equipment. Exede12 and Exede5 both use spot beams as you stated. Their parent company ViaSat does offer a mobile solution, but it is marketed to the commercial and broadcast markets, not to RV users. And as far as I know, Exede does NOT allow users to set up their own equipment as a RV owner would have to do every time they move. Stationary installs by qualified installers only.

[RV_Nomads]

Just Curious... Can you get a SD receiver from either Direct or DISH with a DVR? I have a KVH in motion dome and a winegard carry-out. I'm happy to watch off-air tv when available... but sometimes it isn't. I don't need HD but I would like to record shows. I'm fulltime and don't own a home. Thanks in advance for your replies.

[JaBob]

We have a Wingards carry out for Direct and Internet access is via Verizon hotspot on our phone. To use simple and reliable.

Bob

[Bill_Satellite]

For TV, Direct seems to be the preferred service for RVers because you can get network TV anywhere without any hassle or calling to move.

That's really not true. The services are pretty well split when it comes to RV's (much like the Ford or Chevy issues). Additionally, you can get the same network TV services from both Dish or DirecTV.
Dish also has a pay as you go service (no contract required) that is not available from DirecTV.
It's just a choice like any other.

[hershey]

Unless your camping is done in the most remote areas, many find that Verizon can provide really reliable internet service for a nominal price.
Obviously easier to use than satellite internet. I have never used satellite internet so forgive my assessment but I have run across many instances where satellite internet users were trying to sell their equipment for pennies on the dollar or give it away. For TV, Direct seems to be the preferred service for RVers because you can get network TV anywhere without any hassle or calling to move.

[Devocamper]

We use a carryout auto dish with a direct tv non hd box from home. We have a att mifi hotspot for our laptops and nook. We also use the hotspot at the house and have regular cell service. Also have a weather radio with the s.a.m.e system for local alerts where ever we are. The carryout will only work with sd for direct tv but will do hd on the dish system. Also have a wilson cell booster, the mobile pro unit.

[gajd33]

I think most of the contributers to this post have said it all better than I could. I agree with many that Verizon or Millenicom are the way to go for internet and that satellite is better for TV than internet given its speed and cost.

A few articles worth looking over if your still unsure:

Camping TV: Antennas, Satellites & Dishes - Camping Life Magazine

RV Internet and Mobile Wifi On The Go Guide - Do It Yourself RV

[TechWriter]

For TV, I have a DISH Hopper whole-house DVR setup.

For internet, I have an Verizon UML290 3G/4G USB modem connected to a CradlePoint MBR95 router (it creates a WiFi hotspot) + a Millenicom MiFi (this is your best bet as it costs $70/month for 20GB/month).

[Bill_Satellite]

Exceed uses the old WildBlue Hardware.. The sats are spot beamed so you need to do a lot of work to move from one part of the country to another. This makes it very impractical for RVers.

The Hughesnet Gen4 service is also spot-beamed and unusable by an RVer. Either Hughesnet using an HN7000S modem or the Starband service would be required for a mobile user.

[CA_Traveler]

Bill.Winegard wrote:

CA Traveler wrote:
We use our home DTV H24 receiver which can record 2 stations. Combined with a RF Mogul dish for the RV. All HD. The Verizon Jetpack takes care of our internet needs.

You must have an HR24 as the H24 is not a DVR.

Correct.

Nice think about this receiver is it works with our Slimline 5 at home, 18" portable and RF Mogul (SWM). Perhaps someday we'll upgrade to all SWM and receiver to record even more channels.

[wa8yxm]

Interenet:

Your choices are:

Park WI-Fi
Cellular
2-way Satellite TV other than Exceed (I will explain)

Park Wi-Fi and other free Wi-Fi spots (McDonalds for example) are good but only if the park offers it or you do not mind driving to a McD's. Plus often the park is not fully covered.. I'm using park Wi-Fi just now but I do have a slightly modified Wi-Fi device to pick it up (I made the antenna directional, a good 20 DB gain, gives me more range) as this is a "Family Center only" park. I also choose my parking to take advantage of the boosted antenna.

Cellullar can be expensive and/or bandwidth limited, when I use cellulalr I have a six Gig limit (Well 6.5) but .. It works great most places I park (not here) Here I have very slow speeds... Coverage and speeds vary Verizon generally has the best coverage.. I'm with T-mobile cause Well I have dealt with Verizion's "Award Winning Customer Service" dept a few times.. Cuss-Some-More is what I call it. But that's me. others say good things.

2-Way Sat: Speed is slow (low end of DSL) there is a 1/2 second lag time and again you are bandwidth limited Hughes I think still sells the kind of service we need..

Exceed uses the old WildBlue Hardware.. The sats are spot beamed so you need to do a lot of work to move from one part of the country to another. This makes it very impractical for RVers.

[Randu]

sdianel wrote:
DirecTV and Verizon Mi-Fi is what we have.

Exact same thing and very happy. We don't fulltime yet but RV many extended weekends. Nice to have all the same channels in the RV at every campground. Randu