Moving ahead with Satellite - Newbie questions

[obiwancanoli]

Hello all...

Recently picked up 1st Class A, a 2017 Newmar Ventana LE, and now getting around to researching Satellite & TV options, but there's literally everything I probably need to learn, and so, here I am, asking the experts. I also have a Winegard Trav'ler, with 2 cable ports.

In the exterior power cord compartment is a cable hookup. On the opposite side, another, paired with an HDMI port.

Inside, in a cabinet above the bedroom TV, is another cable connection port. There may also be a port above the cockpit, but I haven't looked for it. I've also watched TV using the rooftop antenna (free), and understand how to tap into that via tv settings, and channel search.

I'm soon to obtain service at home from Dish, and as many already know, cheaply add service to my RV. My query relates to a few things I'm just not clear on...

If cable is available at a typical RV park, do I have access to cable tv, via the existing cable wiring, and using the external port, or will I require a cable box -a Wally - to access service? If the proper source is chosen from the TV menu, is that all there is to it?

In order to watch the bedroom TV, will I need a separate "Wally" for access to the park's cable? I assume if I subscribe to Dish, they'll provide one for home, but not sure about a second, when I request service to the RV.

Will I be able to watch two different channels with two TV's, running one cable to the outside port in the power cable compartment? Or will I be required to use both ports on the satellite antenna, running one cable through an as yet unidentified point of access, say, to the bedroom TV?

Knowing as little as I do, are there more questions I should also have the answers to?

Thank you all for your guidance!

Michael

[obiwancanoli]

Dutch, the link shows the antenna I have had installed.

[djousma]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

djousma wrote:
One other comment about Dish(and Directv) and the Winegard Traveler. That satellite dish is a single satellite dish. meaning it can only receive a signal from one of dish satellites at one time. Dish programming comes in on 2 or 3 satellites. If you have two "wally's" connected, the primary one is what controls the dish position based on the channel selected to watch. the secondary wally will be at the mercy of the primary, in that the secondary can only tune into channels that are available on the satellite that the dish is currently tuned into. Even if the primary is not being watched, the secondary cannot command the dish to move to the other satellites.

The only way around this is to install this type of dish: Linky

That is RV portable, but when deployed works like home dish and can receive all dish satellites at one time.

The Dish version of the Winegard Trav'ler (SK-1000) is an automated RV mounted Dish residential 1000.2 triple LNB dish and receives all three western arc sats at once. It works quite well with all Dish receivers, including the latest Hopper3. The SK-1000 is what your link shows.

Dutch,

You are right. I was mistaking it for the lesser Carryout/Playmaker/Pathway series. I'm going to go ahead and remove my post, so as not to confuse the OP.

[Dutch_12078]

djousma wrote:
One other comment about Dish(and Directv) and the Winegard Traveler. That satellite dish is a single satellite dish. meaning it can only receive a signal from one of dish satellites at one time. Dish programming comes in on 2 or 3 satellites. If you have two "wally's" connected, the primary one is what controls the dish position based on the channel selected to watch. the secondary wally will be at the mercy of the primary, in that the secondary can only tune into channels that are available on the satellite that the dish is currently tuned into. Even if the primary is not being watched, the secondary cannot command the dish to move to the other satellites.

The only way around this is to install this type of dish: Linky

That is RV portable, but when deployed works like home dish and can receive all dish satellites at one time.

The Dish version of the Winegard Trav'ler (SK-1000) is an automated RV mounted Dish residential 1000.2 triple LNB dish and receives all three western arc sats at once. It works quite well with all Dish receivers, including the latest Hopper3. The SK-1000 is what your link shows.

[djousma]

EDIT: Removing the original content so as not to confuse, as I mistakenly though the OP's dish was the lesser single satellite dish.

[TechWriter]

OP, since you have a DISH Winegard Travler, essentially the sky's the limit in terms of what you can install in your RV. By this I mean, whatever DISH equipment you install in your house, you can install in your RV.

First, you should have no problem using two Wallys in your Newmar since they apparently ran two coax connections into your RV from the Travler. This means that you can watch whatever channels you want on each Wally.

However, Wallys are at the bottom of the DISH satellite food chain -- they're only 1-tuner receivers and if you want to record on them by adding a hard drive, it's going to be limited. While many folks swear by their Wally (or 211), it's usually because a Wally is their only option because they don't have a Travler.

I don't know what you plan to install in your house, but I would hope it would be a 16-tuner Hopper 3 unless you don't watch much TV.

If you do install a Hopper 3, then you could use it in your Newmar when you go camping . . . with some mods. The first would be running a 3rd coax into your RV from your Travler (since Newmar didn't), but new RV owners are usually hesitant above doing stuff like this.

[Bill_Satellite]

Good job!

[obiwancanoli]

As an update, I thought I'd post the fact that the WInegard Trav'ler I purchased (replaced the X2 in the initial post, and edited that, too), as of today, the Trav'ler is now installed, and connected to all three satellites.

I thought it useful, considering my very novice initial questions about this, to post the fact that the installer had requested I contact Newmar for a few answers to questions the installer asked, such as, is the rig pre-wired for satellite? YES. Wired with splitter for the two TV's in the rig? YES, and there's a pull-through wire to help with guiding the coax for connection.

I also obtained from Newmar a wiring diagram, along with a rendering of "Typical Satellite Prep" showing location of the plate access, the conduit for the coax, and a diagram showing the path of the coax. Installer said it was very helpful to have, noting this made the install process much easier. Will pick it up tomorrow, and finish whatever is needed to connect to Dish, then should be good to go... thanks again to all for your patience and guidance!

[obiwancanoli]

Pardon my references to cable and using Wally... Satellite would require two Wally's in order to watch 2 different programs at the same time... I get it now... thanks...

I also easily found the wall plate and switch with light that one must change in order to move from OTA to cable... I'm getting it, slow but sure, thanks!

[Bill_Satellite]

obiwancanoli wrote:
OK, Bill, here they are...

If cable is available at a typical RV park, do I have access to cable tv, via the existing cable wiring, and using the external port, or will I require a cable box -a Wally - to access service? If the proper source is chosen from the TV menu, is that all there is to it?

YES, THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT. AS I MENTIONED, THE WALLY IS A SATELLITE TV RECEIVER.


In order to watch the bedroom TV, will I need a separate "Wally" for access to the park's cable? I assume if I subscribe to Dish, they'll provide one for home, but not sure about a second, when I request service to the RV.

NO RECEIVERS OF ANY KIND REQUIRED FOR PARK CABLE. IF YOU SUBSCRIBE TO DISH TV YOU WILL GET RECEIVERS TO USE AT HOME. HAVE THEM INSTALL A WALLY (NOT STANDARD WITH A HOME INSTALLATION THESE DAYS) TO USE IN THE RV. IF YOU NEED TO WATCH 2 DIFFERENT CHANNELS ON 2 DIFFERENT TV'S YOU WILL NEED 2 WALLY'S. IF YOU JUST WANT TO WATCH TV ON BOTH AT DIFFERENT TIMES YOU CAN DO THAT WITH JUST ONE BUT SOME WIRING MODIFICATIONS MAY BE NECESSARY.

Will I be able to watch two different channels with two TV's, running one cable to the outside port in the power cable compartment? Or will I be required to use both ports on the satellite antenna, running one cable through an as yet unidentified point of access, say, to the bedroom TV?

CABLE, NO RESTRICTIONS ON WHO WATCHES WHAT. FOR SATELLITE TV, SEE ABOVE.

Knowing as little as I do, are there more questions I should also have the answers to?

YES.

Thank you all for your guidance!

Michael

[obiwancanoli]

OK, Bill, here they are...

If cable is available at a typical RV park, do I have access to cable tv, via the existing cable wiring, and using the external port, or will I require a cable box -a Wally - to access service? If the proper source is chosen from the TV menu, is that all there is to it?

In order to watch the bedroom TV, will I need a separate "Wally" for access to the park's cable? I assume if I subscribe to Dish, they'll provide one for home, but not sure about a second, when I request service to the RV.

Will I be able to watch two different channels with two TV's, running one cable to the outside port in the power cable compartment? Or will I be required to use both ports on the satellite antenna, running one cable through an as yet unidentified point of access, say, to the bedroom TV?

Knowing as little as I do, are there more questions I should also have the answers to?

Thank you all for your guidance!

Michael

[Bill_Satellite]

obiwancanoli wrote:
Ok, found the OTA/cable wall switch easily enough. And the tiny light... still looking for a few more answers...

Too much to re-read. What other questions might we answer?

[MDKMDK]

I have an OTA King Controls system like this, factory installed, in my 2018 Navion. The video demonstrates the parts and functions. The little lights are on the roof mounted antenna directional control. Mine has little blue lights that indicate signal strength as I rotate the antenna. They are demoed at around the 7:30 mark of the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JRl5MFzT-8
I'm thinking your motorhome is much larger and probably has something different, but I thought this might be similar enough to give you something to look for.

[obiwancanoli]

Ok, found the OTA/cable wall switch easily enough. And the tiny light... still looking for a few more answers...

[obiwancanoli]

Thank you, Bill... any thoughts on my other questions?