Forum Discussion

Rygar's avatar
Rygar
Explorer
Oct 26, 2017

Satellite question

Here goes, please, don't flame me if you think I'm an idiot, but, I'm on my way to Florida for the winter. I had Shaw Direct install a satellite system in my fifth wheel. They talked me out of a roof mount with a remote finder. So, I now have a dish on a tripod and I'm having an awful time setting it up when I stop. It's hit and miss whether I can diddle it around enough to find a signal and frankly it's a pain in the backside. So, my question is, can I get a dish in the states installed that is compatible with shaw direct?
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 26, 2017
    Winegard DOES offer a Carryout style dome for Shaw but it only works in Canada and requires manual skew adjustments.
    For Shaw in the US you need a Winegard Trav'ler or a tripod based Shaw antenna and LNB combo.
  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Oct 26, 2017
    Dream_Chaser! wrote:
    The Winegard portable dish for Shaw WILL NOT WORK in southern USA. The signal is weaker in Florida than Canada and therefore you need a larger dish to get the signal.

    The portable is no good for the high def channels even in Canada.
    I don't think Winegard offers a portable dish for Shaw.
  • joebedford's avatar
    joebedford
    Nomad II
    Oct 26, 2017
    wa8yxm wrote:
    I am amazed you can get Shaw in Fl.. You are well out of the footprint for their satellites.
    Uhhh, nope.

    Only G1 has the small footprint.
  • Lenny_K's avatar
    Lenny_K
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2017
    In Arizona there are a few places that will install Shaw on your roof. The last time I had checked it was about $1400.00. I'm sure if Shaw is receivable in Florida there will be dealers available also to support the snowbirds.
  • Lenny_K's avatar
    Lenny_K
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2017
    As others have been saying you must have your tripod perfectly level to be able to find the satellites easily. I use the large Shaw dish and have no problems with receiving HD on the two older Shaw satellites that are available in the US.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Oct 26, 2017
    RF Mogul is a full array dish and they indicate Shaw reception in most of the US. I have no personal experience with Shaw.

    Due to the expense of automated dishes I'd want to understand the longer range plan for Shaw beam maps. DTV keeps the map as close to the borders as practical which I believe is a US requirement.


    For DTV RF Mogul has 70 and 75 cm dishes.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Oct 26, 2017
    I am amazed you can get Shaw in Fl.. You are well out of the footprint for their satellites.

    Google TV Satellite Footprints. Find the bird you use and you should see a map.. Not much south of the Mason-Dixon line is coverd by Shaw or Bell.
  • Thunder_Mountai's avatar
    Thunder_Mountai
    Explorer II
    Oct 26, 2017
    No, no, no to CW! No telling how long you would be without your rig. Not to mention questionable quality of work. When you get to FL ask around the campground. Most snowbird campground offices keep a list of preferred mobile techs. In most of the big snowbird campgrounds in AZ, you can just keep an eye out for sat installers working in the park and flag them down. If all else fail just use the net to find someone in the area.
  • Dream_Chaser_'s avatar
    Dream_Chaser_
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2017
    The Winegard portable dish for Shaw WILL NOT WORK in southern USA. The signal is weaker in Florida than Canada and therefore you need a larger dish to get the signal.

    The portable is no good for the high def channels even in Canada.

    Use a tripod with an eliptical dish. Once set up you are good to go.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Oct 26, 2017
    Rygar wrote:
    Here goes, please, don't flame me if you think I'm an idiot, but, I'm on my way to Florida for the winter. I had Shaw Direct install a satellite system in my fifth wheel. They talked me out of a roof mount with a remote finder. So, I now have a dish on a tripod and I'm having an awful time setting it up when I stop. It's hit and miss whether I can diddle it around enough to find a signal and frankly it's a pain in the backside. So, my question is, can I get a dish in the states installed that is compatible with shaw direct?


    Yes, the Winegard Trav'ler for Shaw. It's usually a special order unit but it is available and it works great.
    Check with your campground to see if they have a local satellite guy. If they do he will likely be a Winegard dealer and will be able to do the installation locally. It's not cheap but the installation should only cost about $300. He if wants too much more than you can find online, just ask what he would charge to install an antenna you supply. It should be 400-500 dollars.

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