Internet and TV for full time rv

[matemike]

My wife and I will be going full time rv living next year and I'm trying to resolve issues beforehand. What is the most reliable internet service (not wifi hot spots at various locations but independently); and what is the most reliable tv service and can the 2 services be combined? Thank you.

[matemike]

Tim, Thanx for the info.

[GoPackGo]

I use Millenicom and their MiFi, which runs on the Verizon system (I wanted SOMETHING that used the Verizon system). I also have a Wilson Sleek for it in my truck and their office kit in my fifth wheel. The Sleek generally gains 2 bars. The MiFi functions as a router and you can run up to 10 devices I think. I have my phone set to search for it first so it uses the MiFi for data instead of the phone plan. Note that the Sleek can also be used to boost your phone, but you need to set your phone in the Sleek cradle.

The problem with free TV is no ESPN, no History channel, no HBO, etc. Antenna TV is great of you are happy with only getting local channels and some Public Broadcast Channels - and if you are near a city. My philosophy is that I had cable TV in my house so why should I give it up when I switched to fulltiming ?

I have a Winegard Pathway X2 portable sat receiver which gets Dish HD. Why the X2 ? First, I did not want a roof top receiver because I wanted to be able to move the receiver for best reception. Did not get DirectTV because they do not put out an HD signal for these portable golf ball receivers - only SD. The X2 has a slightly larger sat dish then the Tailgater (main competitor) so it should get better reception if shooting through leaves, etc. The X2 has 2 cable outputs so you can watch different shows on 2 TVs (if the shows are on the same satellite). And, maybe most importantly, the X2 can get programming from either the eastern or western arc Dish satellites. This is handy if one set is blocked by trees. In that case I just switch to the other set. I also understand that the western satellites can be difficult to 'find' if you are in the far eastern US. In that case just tune to the eastern ones. I think you can find the X2 on Amazon for about $450-500 with one receiver box and remote with free shipping. If you need a second box - I happened to see them today in Camping World for $75.

I believe the Tailgater has only one cable output and can only get the western arc Dish satellites. But - I know people really like their Tailgaters and they do work well.

One thing to know - These golfball sat receivers get their power through the cable so there must be a direct connection to the receiver box - cannot go through switches. So often times you must run a new cable inside your camper or just run a cable through a window or slide.

I am real happy with my setup. Everything works fine.

Tim

[jamway]

matemike wrote:
"TV..crank up the roof antenna....aim it at the direction of transponder towers and watch free TV"
Question: how do you know the direction of the transponder towers?
Question: why wouldn't this type of set up work at home for free tv?

Try this link.http://antennapoint.com/

Many campgrounds we camp in this will not help. The only T V will be sat and there is no cell phone signal.

[crabbin_cabin]

Recently bought a tablet from our local verizon store. Discovered that I can get internet anywhere that there is verizon cell phone coverage. Worked well on a 2 month travel AZ to west coast and back.

[rockhillmanor]

"TV..crank up the roof antenna....aim it at the direction of transponder towers and watch free TV"

Question: how do you know the direction of the transponder towers?
Question: why wouldn't this type of set up work at home for free tv?

A. Real easy way to determine which direction to turn the RV antenna?
When you pull into the CG take a look at which direction ALL the RV's have their antenna pointed!

And....Point yours in the same direction! Will save you a lot of time spinning and tuning in the batwing antenna!:W

B. Yes it works in a house also for FREE TV. Walmart has TV antenna's for digital TV starting at 19.99 to 65.00. Some inside some outside antenna's. Last house I had I bought the 40.00 outside mount antenna from Lowes. Make sure to read the box label and get an 'amplified' antenna.

I just bought a house in Florida that I am remodeling.

>>I am right now running a coax from the MH antenna to the house TV! :B:B
24 channels for FREE! And this week they just added another movie channel!

[matemike]

"TV..crank up the roof antenna....aim it at the direction of transponder towers and watch free TV"
Question: how do you know the direction of the transponder towers?
Question: why wouldn't this type of set up work at home for free tv?

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Verizon Mi-Fi. Used it all over the US with no problems.
We like DirecTV. Had it for years. Subscribed to the east coast west coast feeds for local channels.
No they can't be combined.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

While you are still home figure out how much data you use on the wobbly wide web. If it is lots--then look at Mellenicom. $90 for 20 gigs of data.

[Triker33]

Get DirecTv with DNS using a Trav'ler SWM roof antenna with a Genie HR44 receiver with wireless to the bedroom TV & outside TV.

Internet that can be used anywhere they are no cell towers, is the DataStorm satellite system with the HN7000s modem. Only used ones are available now.
But they are a much lower price now and some almost free.

[tvman44]

For TV, either the crank up antenna or Directv. 🙂

[cpaulsen]

Verizon with a Jetpack sitting in a Wilson Sleek cradle and Dish for tv.

[RoyB]

We use the Verizon MIFI Plan for Internet on the road. VERIZON has the best coverage especially in the OFF-ROAD areas beyond the Interstate highways...

I too use the WILSON SLEEK to sit the MIFI unit in for better coverage both inside the trailer for all of our WIFI READY computers and tablets devices and outside around the patio area. The MIFI unit is a stand alone separate unit and does not tie up your cellphone etc... If we are going to sit on the beach and watch the surf the MIFI units slips into my shirt pocket. Great for the tablets on the beach away from the trailer. If you want to get into downstreaming TV and video things you will need a min 20GB Plan. One movie will eat up a GB in a heartbeat. We just check our emails, keep in touch with the kids, pay a few bills online, and surf the net occasionally. We get by just fine with our grandfathered 3GB DATAPLAN with Verizon for our wireless MIFI HOTSPOT.

We use the OTA Crank-up BATWING antenna and watch the digital NATIONAL BROADCAST HDTV signals from the local towns. Free to the public and is transmitted in FULL HIGH DEF MODE... Here on the East side of the US we always seem to pick up between 6 and 36 HDTV signals.

Roy Ken

[edatlanta]

I agree with Verizon, but I use my smart phone as a hot spot vs having a mifi. One word of caution on the Wilson Sleek, make sure you get the most current one. Verizon has started using a new frequency band in some of their larger markets and only the newest Sleek will work with those bands. Of course your smart phone must be capable also. I have the Galaxy S5 and it is. I am currently in Panama City, FL where Verizon has this new frequency band. I regularly see d/l speeds of 40+ mbps.

For television I use DirecTV with their DNS service. The advantage of DNS is I program my favorite programs to record and they are always on the same channels as I move since with DNS your network channels are always the same.

[rockhillmanor]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
TV..crank up the roof antenna....aim it at the direction of transponder towers and watch free TV

Agree on Verizon......we travel FT for 7 yrs. Pretty good coverage all across US

Ditto X2.
Only I am using Sprint mobile usb broadband. Full time 7 years coverage everyplace I have been. But I have not traveled to the western states.

RV antenna FREE channels EVERYWHERE! :B